The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center today released a report highlighting Louisiana’s contributions to America’s innovation economy.

The study is part of GIPC’s State Fact Sheets, which examine the roles innovation and creativity play in each state.

“Innovation and creativity are vital to Louisiana’s economy,” said Mark Esper, executive vice president of the GIPC. “The Louisiana economy depends on the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurism.”

According to the GIPC, Louisiana hi-tech industry workers earn an average of $17,495 more per year than other private sector workers.

Esper said that in 2007 and 2008, film and television production in Louisiana contributed $316 million in local wages, and in 2008 the number of businesses involved with copyrighted works grew to almost 6,300, an increase of 12.1 percent from the previous year.