Chamber Study Highlights Iowa’s Innovative Contributions
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting Iowa’s contributions to America’s innovation economy. This study is part of GIPC’s State Fact Sheets, which provide a look at the roles innovation and creativity play in each state. The report highlights local companies and facts demonstrating how innovation and creativity—which are safeguarded by strong IP rights—serve as a driving force behind economic recovery and future growth.
“Innovation and creativity are vital to Iowa’s economy,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. In 2007, Iowa’s innovators and researchers received 664 patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The following year, more than 5,100 businesses in Iowa were involved in the creation and distribution of copyrighted works – which is a 6.9% increase from the 2007..
Esper noted examples of innovation and creativity in Iowa. Home to more than 180 companies connected to the life science industry, Iowa boasts more than 7,400 employees in this sector alone. Additionally, in 2004, the total research and development investment was more than $1.6 billion, with $500 million allocated to university research and development.
“Indeed, Iowans are proven innovators,” said Esper.Movie soundtracks were made possible by Iowa inventor Lee de Forest. Forest also invented the Audion in 1907, which enabled human voice or any broadcast signal to be transmitted wirelessly. “America has a unique story to tell, and Iowa plays a large role in this story. Innovation and creativity are essential to economic growth and human advancement, and Iowa’s IP contributions reflect this.”
The Iowa State Fact Sheet is intended to be a resource for legislators, policymakers, and the public to identify successful companies, inventors, creative artists, and innovators to better understand the role they play in our economy and society. As part of an easy-to-use, interactive map, the State Fact Sheet project can be accessed online at www.theglobalipcenter.com, as well as in a printable format.
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
For more information, please contact Trinh Nguyen at 202-463-5379.
