The protection of intellectual property (IP) rights fuel successful and dynamic global economies by creating and sustaining innovative industries and high-quality jobs.

The inaugural edition of the GIPC International Intellectual Property Index (GIPC Index), Measuring Momentum, highlights strengths and weaknesses of 11 economically and geographically diverse countries.

This first-of-its-kind index,covering all major areas of IP rights, can be used as a roadmap for countries seeking to create jobs, promote economic growth, and access new technologies.

 

Key Findings

The GIPC Index highlights both momentum toward and impediments to creating robust IP environments.

IP Momentum

In order to create economic momentum, all countries must continue to modernize their IP rules and dedicate resources to prevent IP theft.

• Over the past year, countries at all levels of development have taken steps to improve their ability to compete in a 21st century knowledgebased economy. For example, the GIPC Index highlights efforts by some countries to create more effective and transparent IP rules.
• The release of this year’s GIPC Index is particularly timely as 11 countries are negotiating a gold standard agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. The TPP is a must-seize opportunity to secure high-standard IP rules that advance innovation and development for all participating countries. Six TPP countries— Australia, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico and the United States—are included in this index.

 

 

IP Challenges

It is not enough to secure the right rules; they must also be effectively implemented and enforced. This year’s GIPC Index shows that while there have been noticeable efforts to climb the innovation ladder, there remains a great deal of work to do.

• Of the 11 countries assessed, only 4 rank above 50 percent, and no country receives a perfect score.
• All countries share the challenge of securing the resources needed to prevent IP theft. While the United States tends to lead the rankings, it has work to do to strengthen IP enforcement.
• Additionally, while the GIPC Index highlights positive steps being taken in China to improve IP rules and enforcement, the sheer size of China’s economy and scope of counterfeiting and piracy in that country highlight the need for significant improvements that will benefit both foreign and Chinese rights holders and consumers.

Overall, the GIPC Index demonstrates that while there have been a number of positive developments, all countries sampled must do more if they want to continue to create jobs, attract investment, and ultimately build momentum for innovators and creators to succeed.

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