TAMPA – Five Florida universities rank in the top 65 institutions granted U.S. utility patents according to the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2019 report released Tuesday by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association. The report uses data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and highlights the vital role patents play in university research and innovation.
“The five Florida universities represented on the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents are leading the way in the important area of university research and innovation,” said Marshall M. Criser III, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “We are incredibly proud of the inventive work these institutions have put forth this year, and we look forward to the changes they will bring to Florida’s economy.”
Published annually since 2013, the report ranks the top 100 universities named as first assignee on utility patents granted by the Office in the 2019 calendar year. The full report can be found here.
The State University System of Florida institutions included in the Top 100 and their rankings are as follows:
- 15 – University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated – 115 patents
- 16 – University of South Florida – 108 patents
- 40 – Florida International University – 61 patents
- 43 – Florida State University – 60 patents
- 65 – University of Central Florida – 44 patents
“The Board of Governors has prioritized the translation of our incredible and growing research to real-world use that can help improve lives and create value,” said Alan Levine, chair of the Board’s Research and Academic Excellence Committee. “As America’s top ranked University System, Florida’s universities are having a major impact in the world.”
These five universities are Member Institutions of the Academy, as are all 12 universities in the State University System of Florida. The Academy is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions.
“The institutions included in this year’s report are leading innovation worldwide through their encouragement of academic discovery and invention,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the Academy. “We are proud to collaborate with the Association for the eighth consecutive year to highlight universities that have made critical contributions to society.”
The Intellectual Property Owners Association, established in 1972, is a trade association for owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. “University patents ignite a culture of growth and innovation which in turn stimulates the economy,” said Jessica Landacre, Executive Director at the Association. “The Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents demonstrates which institutions excel in this arena.”
The IPO Top 300 Patent Owners List, published annually since 1985, ranks organizations worldwide that received the most U.S. utility patents during the previous calendar year. This year’s report on 2019 patents was published on May 18, 2020.
###
Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The system has 12 universities and more than 420,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the system’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.