On World IP Day, Small Business Group Focuses on IP's Importance to Entrepreneurship

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On World Intellectual Property Day, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) published the second edition of their popular booklet focused on the central role that intellectual property (IP) plays in entrepreneurship, small business growth, innovation, and investment.

The book, "Unleashing Small Business Through IP:  The Role of Intellectual Property in Driving Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment," was written by SBE Council chief economist Raymond J. Keating. The book is available in PDF format for free on the group's website, or paperback copies can be ordered through SBE Council.

Raymond J. Keating said: "It's hard to think of an industry today where intellectual property does not play a direct, or at least indirect, role in its vitality and growth. In turn, small businesses overwhelmingly populate each of these industries.  Establishing and protecting intellectual property rights are vital to entrepreneurship and economic growth. IP is foundational to, what I call in the book, the four 'I's' – investment, improvement, innovation, and invention."

"Unleashing Small Business Through IP" provides insights and hard data on the role of IP in our economy. The publication reveals the heavy costs associated with IP theft, and IP's impact on innovation and entrepreneurship. Various IP industries are examined, including music, movies and TV, video gaming, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, publishing, and much more. In each case, the importance of IP rights and protections are explained, as is the dominant role played by small businesses in these sectors.  The booklet also looks at economic thinking on IP, the history and future of IP, the role of IP in the international marketplace, and policymaking as it relates to IP and IP industries. 

SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan added: "It is critical that we get policymaking right regarding intellectual property, and that includes maintaining strong patent, copyright and trademark protections at home, and internationally via trade agreements. This is critical to the health of entrepreneurship and the ability of our most promising firms to compete and raise capital.  The takeaway message of this booklet is clear: Intellectual property is vital to our economy and quality job growth, and much of the IP story in the U.S. is a small business story."

SBE Council will distribute the booklet to congressional offices and policy leaders, and at various speaking engagements and events.  The PDF copy can be read and downloaded on SBE Council website here, or your can inquire about ordering copies of the booklet by emailing [email protected].

SBE Council is a nonprofit advocacy, research and education organization that works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship. For more than twenty-three years SBE Council has led a range of initiatives domestically and across the globe to strengthen the ecosystem for startups and successful small business growth. For more information, please visit www.sbecouncil.org.  Twitter: @SBECouncil

Contact: Raymond J. Keating
703-242-5840 or 631-909-1122                                                                                                Email at [email protected]  

SOURCE Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

Related Links

http://www.sbecouncil.org