University of South Florida Ranks 10th in the Nation for U.S. Patents

TAMPA, Fla., June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of South Florida ranks 10^th nationally and 13^th among universities worldwide for U.S. patents granted in 2014, according to a new report released by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO). 

The report, based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, recognizes the important role patents play in university research. USF, with 104 patents for 2014, has ranked among the top 15 universities worldwide for the past five years in generating new inventions.

The top 10 U.S. universities on the list are: The University of California System, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of Texas, California Institute of Technology, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, University of Michigan and USF.

The list includes both public and private universities in the U.S. In addition to USF, three other Florida universities are included in the ranking: University of Florida Research Foundation (UF), which ranked 15^th in the U.S. with 87 patents, University of Central Florida (UCF), which ranked 23^rd in the U.S. with 66 patents, and Florida State University (FSU), which ranked 52^nd in the U.S. with 30 patents. Among public universities in the U.S., the four Florida universities on the Top 100 list ranked as follows:  USF 4^th, UF 7^th, UCF 12^th and FSU 30^th.

"The growth of technology and innovation is essential to the success of a university," said Paul R. Sanberg, USF senior vice president for research, innovation and economic development. "Invention based on university technology remains a significant factor in economic development. We are proud of our faculty, students and staff who make an impact on Tampa Bay and the state of Florida and are converting their research into patents and commercialization activities that benefit society."

The NAI and IPO compile the list each year by calculating the number of utility patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which lists a university as the first assignee on the printed patent. The full list of the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Patents in 2014 can be found here.

"University researchers and innovators find answers to prevailing difficulties," said Sanberg, who also serves as president of the NAI.  "Patenting serves as the protection of ground-breaking inventions and supports the formation of new industries and employment."  USF is the founding institution and first Charter Member Institution of the NAI.

The IPO will soon be releasing its annual list of the Top 300 organizations worldwide that received the most U.S. utility patents during 2014, a list that has been published for more than 30 years. USF will be one of only 13 universities that will appear on the list.

The University of South Florida is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF is a Top 50 research university among both public and private institutions nationwide in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation. Serving nearly 48,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.5 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Media Contact:         
Judy Lowry
Email
813-974-3181

SOURCE University of South Florida