SSTI Digest

The U.S. patent system has long been an outlier in its approach to protecting intellectual property (IP) rights. While every other industrialized country awards IP protection to the first party to apply for a patent, the U.S. system bases its IP decisions on the first inventor of a particular technology. As foreign markets have become more important to high-tech companies seeking to go global from day one, this approach has complicated the country's ability to enter into international agreements that would protect the IP rights of U.S. firms around the globe.   In recent years, legislators and industry groups have attempted to harmonize U.S. patent laws with the first-to-file systems used in Europe and Asia. For the third session in a row, Congress is considering a reform package that would put an end to the first-to-invent system and, this time, some change seems more likely to pass. The Patent Reform Act of 2007 would bring U.S. patent regulation more in line with the IP policies of other nations and close many of the perceived loopholes left by previous overhauls of the patent system.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has published the latest annual update to its online statistical resource center for state-level statistics on various science and engineering (S&E) indicators. Drawing data from the most recent updates to seven annual NSF surveys and U.S. Census statistics, Science & Engineering State Profiles, 2003-2005 includes downloadable Excel or PDF versions of state statistics and rankings for:       * Number of doctoral scientists, 2003     * Number of doctoral engineers, 2003     * S&E doctorates awarded, 2005     * S&E and health postdoctorates in doctorate-granting institutions, 2005     * S&E and health graduate students in doctorate-granting institutions, 2005     * Population, 2005     * Civilian labor force, 2005     * Personal per capita income, 2005     * Total federal expenditures, 2004

Yes, it could happen. Bid packets are available. Your organization could host SSTI's 12th annual conference during the fall of 2008. More than 350 of the nation's greatest thinkers and practitioners for building tech-based economies could descend on YOUR city. Over the past 11 years, SSTI's annual conference has grown to become the nation's largest gathering of the tech-based economic development community. The 12th annual conference brings the opportunity to acknowledge the impact and growth of tech-based economic development. It is our hope that this conference will inspire even more collaboration, creativity and success across the nation. The conference host is an integral part in the preparation and success of each conference. Because of the host’s knowledge of local and regional resources, the host is asked for suggestions and advice concerning local suppliers, destinations and potential experts/speakers. Also, the host receives 40 complimentary conference registrations with minimal or no travel costs.

Texas Voters Likely to Decide on Similar Level for Cancer Research After years of legal challenges to the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, the path for funding the $3 billion initiative has been cleared by the California Supreme Court. Texas may soon join the race to fund medical research with its own $3 billion bond issue supporting cancer research.   The California Supreme Court last week declined to hear an appeal challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 71, effectively ending the lawsuits that have held up most of the bond funding for three years, according to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state agency that manages the project.   Voters in 2004 approved the bond issue, which immediately faced challenges from groups opposed to stem cell research. A ruling last year from the Superior Court and Court of Appeals deemed the act to be constitutional in its entirety.  

Two bills passed by the Missouri General Assembly last week include more than $32 million to support new initiatives to promote TBED activities in the state. Programs to support bio-agricultural research, technology commercialization and business growth won the lion's share of the new appropriations.

SSTI is pleased to announce the creation of the Excellence in TBED Awards. This new program is designed to celebrate exceptional achievement in technology-based economic development (TBED), the approaches used to help foster a climate where innovative companies developing and adopting technology thrive. In celebrating exceptional achievement in TBED, the awards program: requires applicants to provide a clear explanation of the need for the initiative, a logical approach to addressing the need, and demonstrable results; will be highly selective with applications reviewed by a committee of distinguished current and former practitioners; and, will be rigorous but fair in its evaluation.   Any TBED program or practitioner is eligible to apply. Each application will be reviewed by a committee of distinguished current and former practitioners with knowledge and experience within a given award category. Selection committee members are chosen by SSTI based on their experience, knowledge of the field, and accomplishments.   

As the development of a nation's science and technology capacity becomes a critical component for economies around the globe, it is becoming even more critical for countries to implement strategies that will enable future competitiveness. This is particularly true for the world's leading economies, which is why, for example, the European Commission increased the resources invested toward research and innovation (see May 2, 2005 and Oct. 22, 2006 issues of the Digest.)

Alternate financing schemes increasing to pay for popular TBED tool State and local strategies to assist new technology business formation often focus on three elements: helping firms secure much needed funding or capital (either private or public), lower their operating costs, or gain access to the intellectual and knowledge resources necessary to succeed. Since successful technology business incubators or accelerators usually address all three elements, the nation’s newspapers are continually reporting on the planning, construction or expansion of these useful TBED tools. A few recent announcements are highlighted below.   Arizona

In recent years, much has been said about the migration of corporate research from R&D centers in the U.S. to new sites in developing countries where many multinational companies have found large pools of skilled labor and access to the world’s fastest-growing markets. A report from Booz Allen Hamilton last year found that India and China were the fastest-growing sites for foreign-based research at U.S. multinationals and that 77 percent of all new R&D centers planned for the next three years were slated for sites in those countries (see the May 22, 2006 issue of the Digest).  

Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases its annual Geographic Area Statistics report, filled with detailed statistics collected from its Annual Survey of Manufacturers. The report provides data for the nation as a whole, every state, and the District of Columbia for numerous sectors within the manufacturing field. Included in the report are statistics for the number of employees, payroll, value added, value of shipments, capital expenditures, cost of materials, and cost of electric energy for heat and power. Using this data, SSTI has prepared a table showing the state rankings for the percent change between 2001 and 2005 for the total manufacturing value added, the value of shipments, and the value added per employee.

The Tennessee Technology Development Corporation (TTDC), the lead organization in Tennessee for technology-based economic development, is seeking a president and chief executive officer (CEO). This position is responsible for the overall direction and management of TTDC and its programs, including resource development, finances, contracts, compliance reporting and operational policies. He or she will work with a 22-member board of directors to establish and successfully implement a work plan that fulfills the organization's mission. At least 10 years of leadership experience and a graduate degree in business or relevant scientific field are required. For a full description of this opportunity and others, visit the SSTI Job Corner at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

Deal’s Impact on Texas Operations Remains Unclear If you follow college sports, you know all how strong rivalries can be between certain schools. Bragging rights after a football game spill over into competitions over everything. Those that cross neighboring state borders seem to have even more edge sometimes.   Follow the semiconductor industry for long and you will find similar rivalries arising between two states whose capitals are 1,575 miles apart: New York and Texas. Both states’ capitals – Albany and Austin – want to be the global center for nanoelectronics.   The trophy is SEMATECH, the semiconductor industry’s research consortium. The consortium is a research partnership that includes the largest commercial producers and consumers of semiconductors, comprising more than 50 percent of the world's microchip market.   The New York and Texas state governments have demonstrated over the years that they are willing to pay handsomely for that trophy, too.