Uploaded April 2017 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
National and global economies increasingly rely on intellectual property (IP), with virtually every industry either producing or using it. Plant science sectors contribute significantly among IP-intensive industries, which account for more than 18% of employment, 34% of gross domestic product (GDP), and 60% of exports within the U.S. economy. The same oligopoly of multi-national corporations that control 75% of the global agrochemical market, 63% of the commercial seed market, and more than 75% of private sector agricultural research rely extensively on leveraging current and continually expanding IP portfolios. The majority of career positions for plant breeders, agronomists, and related plant science disciplines are also held by these corporations; however, training opportunities at the graduate level in IP are sparse. Whether these industries prefer future scientists to be trained before being hired, or rather while on the job, is largely debatable. Existing graduate curricula options in IP will be presented. For content questions, email rjessup@tamu.edu
National and global economies increasingly rely on intellectual property (IP), with virtually every industry either producing or using it. Plant science sectors contribute significantly among IP-intensive industries, which account for more than 18% of employment, 34% of gross domestic product (GDP), and 60% of exports within the U.S. economy. The same oligopoly of multi-national corporations that control 75% of the global agrochemical market, 63% of the commercial seed market, and more than 75% of private sector agricultural research rely extensively on leveraging current and continually expanding IP portfolios. The majority of career positions for plant breeders, agronomists, and related plant science disciplines are also held by these corporations; however, training opportunities at the graduate level in IP are sparse. Whether these industries prefer future scientists to be trained before being hired, or rather while on the job, is largely debatable. Existing graduate curricula options in IP will be presented. For content questions, email rjessup@tamu.edu
