An interesting fact that allows to understand better the role of foreign inventors in the US patent system is the number of patents filed by foreign scientists, students and entrepreneurs. The research examined in the report “Patent Pending: How Immigrants Are Reinventing The American Economy" highlights that more than 3 out of 4 patents in the top ten patent producing universities have been filed by at least one foreign scientist. More than 50% of foreign patents have been awarded to the group of scientists from abroad that were likely to face some visa hurdles: inventors, students, entrepreneurs, scientists.
The findings confirm that the US heavily depends on inventions made by immigrants, and it is in the interest of the US to attract even more brightest minds from all over the world. Foreign inventors played an invaluable role in the cutting edge research made in high-tech. 
1.Startup visas for cutting edge technology entrepreneurs.
2. Green cards for inventors involved in STEM areas: science, technology, engineering, and math. It is reported that 99% of patents are related to these areas.
3. Raise or remove caps for HB1 visas. HB1 visa is issued to highly skilled professionals, and currently the requirements for this type of visa are very high.
Foreign born inventors come from 88 countries, and they create technologies in the US that allow the US be on edge of the technology. It is important to create more opportunities for innovators from abroad to immigrate to the US to continue the trend of fostering innovation.
Read more at “Patent Pending: How Immigrants Are Reinventing The American Economy"
Haha its amazing to see the UC as the top patent creator. This article is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteindeed, immigration is a huge issue for foreign talents. However, as much as the US government wants to attract more talents, they also have to ensure that local citizens are comfortable with the influx of foreigners. This data may also reflect that interaction with foreign personnels allow for more innovation, because of the wider exposure that the team has. It will be largely beneficial if the US can continue to attract such talents, and allow much more innovation to happen.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to attract more foreign inventors to come to the U.S. However, at the same time, the U.S. government need to fix the unemployment rate for its citizens. At the same time, the foreign countries would not necessary want to lose their talents to the U.S. either. The U.S. government would also need to be careful not break their relationship with other countries. It is not a easy fix I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to play contrarian here: software engineers are by far the biggest input cost for extremely high margin & profitable companies like Google and Apple. By increasing the supply of engineers from overseas, this will suppress wages in Silicon Valley. These big players very much have a vested interested in keeping these wages low, and also have a history of colluding in an attempt to do exactly that!
ReplyDeleteEven though the US has benefited greatly from gathering world's great minds to their research facilities, this reliance on foreign inventors may be hinting at the state of American early education. Some may say diverse backgrounds are what brings forth innovation in the US, but it could be that the nation is neglecting on its own education system and investing more in "buying" foreign, well educated minds.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the UCs were a top Patent creator! This is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I agree with Peter. US has indeed benefited from getting foreign minds to their research facility. The main problem is indeed the earleir education system. I am from India. The higher education system in the US, compared to India is way better and more efficient. However, earlier education in India is definitely more rigorous, and trains a students mind in a certain way, which helps him/her later on in tackling more difficult things.