The number of women obtaining patents and trademarks in the United States has dramatically increased over the past several years, according to a new study conducted by the National Women’s Business Council. Researchers examined data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to determine the number of patents and trademark granted to women between 1975 and 2010. The overall conclusion was  that “U.S. based women demonstrate increasing leadership in patent and trademark activities.”

In 2010, 33 percent of all trademarks granted to individuals and sole proprietorships went to women. Meanwhile, women held 18 percent of all patents granted in 2010, doubling the percentage held in 1990.

Also:

• The number of patents granted to women increased by approximately 34.72% from 2009 to 2010.

• The highest sustained rate of increase in the grant of U.S. patents to women was in the 1986-1993 period.

• The participation of women in Trademark activity as measured by the percentage of Trademarks granted has more than doubled in the period between 1980 to 2010, from approximately 16.5% in 1980 to more than 33% in 2010.

• Women have a significantly higher participation in Trademark activity as compared to Patent activity. For instance, whereas women received approximately 18% of all patents granted in the year 2010, the contribution of women to Trademark activity was more than 33%.

Congratulations!

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