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By creating secure ownership of intellectual property, patents incentivize collaboration to create and commercialize new technological ideas and products for the market. However, varying barriers and structural rigidities like educational attainment and historical distrust of institutions come in the way of whether some Americans consider themselves to be “inventors.” This week, we explore how inequity in accessing patent resources—the education, training, and knowledge of networks needed to successfully join the innovation community—can potentially negatively impact overall U.S. technological competitiveness.
A recent report by Invent Together, an alliance working to close diversity gaps in invention and patenting, reveals a significant knowledge gap in patent awareness. Approximately 82.6 percent of potential inventors reported having minimal or no knowledge about patents, with Hispanic and Black women facing the greatest disadvantage at 88 percent and 85.5 percent, respectively. The study also highlighted disparities in the likelihood of pursuing patents, with white and Hispanic women being the least likely to do so even if they had an idea for a new product or technology. About 27.5 percent of white women and 27.1 percent of Hispanic women reported being either "Not at All Likely" or "Not Very Likely" to pursue a patent in such circumstances, higher percentages than those for white, Black, and Hispanic men.
According to Invent Together, this gender and ethnic gap stems from systemic obstacles found throughout the innovation ecosystem. In the first instance, women of ethnic minority groups are underrepresented in STEM and other patent-intensive fields. Furthermore, their experiences with bias and discrimination make them more reluctant to trust others to collaborate and develop new technologies. These barriers not only negatively affect the potentials of individual inventors but also collectively limit the diversity of perspectives in innovation. The group recommends a multifaceted approach to overcome these barriers, including education and mentorship to introduce and familiarize women and minorities with patenting processes, buttressed by policy changes at both institutional and national levels.
Closing the patent knowledge gap and building trust within the innovation system grows the number and diversity of inventors. This can be achieved by increasing awareness of the patent process and related resources among inventors from all backgrounds. These efforts can promote a more inclusive workplace environment, foster more secure idea sharing, and lead to the development of transparent policies for invention evaluation. These steps are also essential for encouraging an inclusive patent ecosystem and innovations that enhance economic growth and global technology leadership.
Data visualization by Mayank Munjal