Innovation Alliance Statement on Update to USPTO Report on Women Inventors on U.S. Patents
Report Shows Some Progress in Increasing Patenting Rates Among Women, But Confirms That Women Are Still Obtaining Patents at Rates Far Lower Than Men, a Trend That Undermines American Innovation and Competitiveness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Innovation Alliance Executive Director Brian Pomper today issued the following statement in response to the release of an update to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) report, “Progress and Potential: A Profile of Women Inventors on U.S. Patents:”
“The Innovation Alliance commends USPTO Director Iancu and his staff for releasing an update to the 2019 USPTO report on the participation of women in the U.S. innovation economy. The report shows that some incremental progress is being made in increasing the number of women entering and staying active in the patent system, but overall confirms that women are still receiving patents at rates far lower than men, a trend that undermines American innovation and competitiveness.
“For example, the USPTO found that the number of patents with at least one woman inventor increased from 20.7 percent in 2016 to 21.9 percent by the end of 2019. And the “Women Inventor Rate” – the share of U.S. inventors receiving patents who are women – increased from 12.1 percent in 2016 to 12.8 percent in 2019.
“We know that increasing inventing and patenting rates among women, persons of color and other underrepresented groups will help to advance U.S. innovation and economic growth. We can’t succeed as a nation if we continue to leave large portions of our population out of the innovation economy. Making progress toward gender, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic equity in patenting will help to ensure we are bringing new ideas to the table in the search for solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
“It is critical that policymakers and researchers continue to collect and study data on the patenting rates of women and people of color. The Innovation Alliance urges Congress to take up and pass legislation that would expand the data available on patenting and innovation among underrepresented populations, such as the IDEA Act introduced in Congress last year by Representatives Velazquez and Stivers and Senators Tillis and Hirono.”
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ABOUT THE INNOVATION ALLIANCE
The Innovation Alliance represents innovators, patent owners and stakeholders from a diverse range of industries that believe in the critical importance of maintaining a strong patent system that supports innovative enterprises of all sizes. Innovation Alliance members can be found in large and small communities across the country, helping to fuel the innovation pipeline and drive the 21st century economy. Learn more at www.innovationalliance.net.