Navy patents tops in government groups

Navy scientists rank No. 1 when it comes to newly patented discoveries and inventions, according to a June report published by the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers. The IEEE's annual Patent Power Scorecard, which ranks the relative significance of organizations' patent portfolios, said the Navy surpassed all international government agencies. The Office of Naval Research, the Navy's science and technology provider, is responsible for policy and direction concerning patents, inventions, trademarks, copyrights and royalty payments. "Holding the top position is a good performance indicator, but being first also recognizes that the network of naval research labs and partnerships is focused on generating innovations and intellectual property that our sailors and Marines depend on," said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, who leads the Office of Naval Research. The Navy had 232 patents issued in 2009, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had 121 and Japan's Science and Technology Agency had 104. (Source: NNS, 06/18/10) Note: The Naval Research Lab has a detachment at Stennis Space Center, Miss.