February 26, 2003
#03-09

Press Release, 03-09

USPTO Releases List of Top 10 Universities Receiving Most Patents in 2002

University of California Leads U.S. Academic Institutions for Ninth Consecutive Year

The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the top 10 U.S. universities receiving the most patents during calendar year 2002. Listed below are the 10 universities receiving the most patents for inventions in 2002, along with their 2001 ranking. The University of California tops the list for the ninth consecutive year.

"Researchers at our academic institutions greatly advance the progress of American science and technology," said James E. Rogan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. "Their patented inventions, from simple mechanical devices to the most sophisticated biomedical breakthroughs, are transferred to industry, where job opportunities are created and the quality of our lives is enhanced significantly.”

Top Patenting U.S. Universities

This report presents a preliminary list of the U.S. universities receiving the most patents for inventions (i.e., utility patents) during the 2002 calendar year. 

Preliminary Rank in 2002*	Preliminary # Patents in 2002*	Organization*	(Rank in 2001)	(Number of Patents in 2001)
1	431	University of California**	(1)	(402)
2	135	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	(2)	(125)
3	109	California Institute of Technology	(3)	(124)
4	104	Stanford University	(5)	(84)
5	93	University of Texas	(4)	(89)
6	81	Johns Hopkins University	(6)	(80)
	81	University of Wisconsin	(7)	(73)
8	55	State University of New York	(17)	(41)
9	50	Pennsylvania State University	(11)	(52)
10	49	Michigan State University	(18)	(39)

* These are preliminary patent counts and are subject to correction. The final listing of patent counts for U.S. universities in 2002 should be available in late December of 2003.
** Includes all campuses.