New Study Demonstrates Importance of Intellectual Property Rights to American Jobs and Competitiveness
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today highlighted the findings of a recent report conducted by NDP Consulting that details the significant role of industries that depend on intellectual property (IP) in America’s productivity and global competitiveness. The report, The Impact of Innovation and the Role of Intellectual Property Rights on U.S. Productivity, Competitiveness, Jobs, Wages and Exports, concludes that IP-intensive industries—such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and computers—outperform non-IP-intensive industries in creating jobs, paying higher wages, driving U.S. exports, and sustaining economic growth.
“A strong intellectual property rights system is necessary to provide these IP-intensive industries the proper incentives and protection they need to innovate, which in turn creates jobs and economic growth,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber’s GIPC. “For years, the Chamber has been advocating for strengthened protection of IP rights as a key driver of U.S. economic expansion. This study clearly demonstrates the impact that IP has on our productivity and competitiveness, and it emphasizes the need to protect IP rights both in the U.S. and internationally.”
The report looks at the impact of innovation and the role of IP rights in 27 U.S. tradable industries between 2000 and 2007. The study finds that IP-intensive industries create jobs at all skill levels, pay their workers higher salaries, and invest more in R&D. Additionally, IP-intensive industries drive American exports—accounting for approximately 60 percent of total U.S. exports—rising from a total of $665 billion in 2000 to $910 billion in 2007. The full report is available here.
“The study shatters the myth that IP-based industries only benefit white collar workers,” added Esper. “In fact, IP-intensive industries employ workers of all educational backgrounds and skill levels, creating both white collar and blue collar jobs that pay better and are growing faster.
“This study solidifies the importance of IP and the need for Congress and the Obama administration to continue advocating on behalf of workers, consumers, and entrepreneurs by protecting our intellectual property. Indeed, the White House has a prime opportunity to do so this summer with the delivery of a first-ever government-wide national IP strategy that will improve our IP protection and enforcement efforts in the U.S. and abroad.”
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 of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
