Chamber Study Highlights Maryland’s Innovative Contributions
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting Maryland’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 Maryland economy,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. “Maryland is ranked 4th in the nation for high-tech business employment and high-tech business formation, and has the 2nd highest concentration of Ph.D. scientists and engineers in the nation.”
Esper noted examples of innovation and creativity in Maryland. In 2007 alone, Maryland received 1,408 patents, and involved more than 11,400 businesses in the creation and distribution of copyrighted works. This is an 11.6 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, from 2007 to 2008, seventeen movies and television production were filmed in Maryland, contributing to an increase of $494 million in wages.
“Indeed, Marylanders are proven innovators,” said Esper. Educated at the University of Maryland, Sergey Brin co-founded Google, the leading search engine. Additionally, Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and coined the phrase “In God We Trust,” which is used on U.S. currency.“America has a unique story to tell, and Maryland plays a large role in this story. Innovation and creativity are essential to economic growth and human advancement, and Maryland’s IP contributions reflect this.”
The Maryland 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.
