The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Centre (GIPC) has published its annual International Intellectual Property Index for 2021. The Index, now in its ninth edition, analyses and benchmarks IP rights in 53 economies across the globe, representing over 90% of global GDP. The evaluation is based on 50 unique indicators of the effectiveness of each jurisdiction’s IP framework, such as their patent and copywrite policies, the commercialisation of IP assets, as well as the ratification of international treaties. The accompanying report, ‘Recovery Through Ingenuity’, explains how despite the pandemic the global IP environment has improved, and it also underscores the vital role that IP has played in meeting the challenges of Covid-19.
Robert Reading, Head of Content Strategy, IP Group at Clarivate, comments:
“2020 was a remarkable year in many ways, particularly for trademark activity. Despite economic doom and gloom early in the year, trademark filing activity exploded at most intellectual property offices around the world, in direct contrast with the falls in activity that have followed previous economic shocks. Filing volume was up by over 10% globally, and the USPTO and UKIPO both saw growth of over 30%. Intellectual property offices that have made it easier and faster for brands to register their rights have laid a platform for this incredibly quick recovery, as brand owners pivoted to take advantage of a changing economy, like online retail, and new opportunities, like surgical masks becoming a standard consumer item rather than just a niche product.
The high standing of the UKIPO at the head of the European list is a reflection of the effort that has gone into making IP more accessible in the UK. It is remarkable that standards were kept high while the Office was under pressure from a rising volume of applications and ongoing work to ensure a smooth post-Brexit transition.
China deserves credit for continuing to improve while at the same time handling over 70% of the trademark applications filed globally and improving time to examination and registration. The International Madrid System managed by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) in Geneva also plays a key role, as countries at the top of each category tend to be party to the Madrid System. Future improvements will undoubtedly be made in the middle and lower ends of these tables if WIPO is able to engage with countries in the Middle East, South America, Africa, and the Caribbean to make these regions more accessible to brand owners looking to simplify IP protection on a global scale.”
