WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting Louisiana’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 Louisiana’s economy,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. Louisiana hi-tech industry workers earn an average of $17,495 more per year than other private sector workers. “The Louisiana economy depends on the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurism,” added Esper.

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

“Indeed, Louisianans are proven innovators,” said Esper. “The first roller pump, a device used in heart-lung machines during open heart surgery, was invented by Lake Charles native, Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey. Tabasco sauce was also born in Louisiana, founded by a family-operated business that began in 1868 and now sells its famous pepper sauce in over 160 countries. America has a unique story to tell, and Louisiana plays a large role in this story. Innovation and creativity are essential to economic growth and human advancement, and Louisiana’s innovative contributions reflect this.”

The Louisiana 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.