The 2023 International IP Index offers a detailed examination of how intellectual property frameworks shape the global innovation landscape. Developed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Index serves as both a benchmark and a guide for economies seeking to strengthen their innovation ecosystems through effective IP standards. The report underscores that IP was central to the world’s ability to navigate and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling breakthroughs in therapeutics, vaccines, and connectivity technologies.
Yet, despite these achievements, the report warns of growing threats to the IP system. Moves within the World Trade Organization to eliminate IP protection for vaccines, along with similar discussions in other multilateral forums, risk undermining the very framework that enabled rapid pandemic response. “Policymakers have a choice: they can help spur innovation and creativity or stop it altogether,” the Chamber emphasizes. The Index data makes clear that economies with strong IP protections are better positioned to deliver the technologies and products of tomorrow.
The 2023 rankings place the United States at the top with a score of 95.48%, followed closely by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Sweden. Twenty-eight economies saw no change in their scores, suggesting stagnation in global IP progress. However, Morocco, Thailand, and Vietnam posted notable gains, each improving by more than two percentage points. Asia’s regional average rose due to advances in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In contrast, Russia’s score dropped sharply—by 21.62%—due to measures targeting international rightsholders.
The Index’s nine categories reveal a complex picture. In patents, 23 economies scored above 70%, with Brazil introducing draft legislation for patent term restoration and China’s Supreme Court clarifying its early resolution mechanism. Malaysia created a pathway for post-grant opposition proceedings. In copyrights, Thailand enacted a new law establishing notice-and-takedown procedures and defining service provider liability, while Vietnam amended its law to strengthen anti-piracy cooperation. Enforcement actions in Peru, Brazil, Canada, and the United States targeted online piracy, though the U.S. still lacks a modern statutory framework to combat it comprehensively.
Trademarks saw strong enforcement in Saudi Arabia, France, and Thailand, with millions of counterfeit goods seized or removed from circulation. In design rights, China and Morocco joined the Hague Agreement, and Brazil’s legislature approved accession. Trade secrets remain the weakest category, with only 23 economies scoring above 50%. Regulatory data protection clarity remains elusive in Vietnam and the UAE, though Saudi authorities reaffirmed support for its availability.
Commercialization of IP assets showed mixed results. China’s new Anti-Monopoly Law increased penalties for anti-competitive behavior involving IP, while Turkey committed to WTO-compliant reforms in biopharmaceutical market access. Thailand improved technology transfer incentives for publicly funded research. Enforcement challenges persist, with only 11 economies scoring above 75% in that category. Malaysia acted against thousands of infringing websites, Chile introduced statutory damages for trademark infringement, and Indonesia certified legitimate marketplaces.
Systemic efficiency emerged as a relative strength, with Brazil, Colombia, India, and the Philippines scoring above 70%. Morocco launched technical assistance programs for SMEs, and Korea’s support programs boosted patent applications. The UK’s IP Counter-Infringement Strategy 2022–2027 aims to enhance coordination against infringement. Membership in international treaties remains high, with Vietnam and Thailand acceding to parts of the WIPO Internet Treaties, Morocco joining the Singapore Treaty, Chile acceding to the Madrid Protocol, and Nigeria becoming a party to the Convention on Cybercrime.
The Index also highlights the economic stakes tied to IP in advanced technologies. Mobile innovations like 5G, which sustained global connectivity during the pandemic, are projected to contribute $1.5 trillion to U.S. GDP and transform 16 million jobs by 2025. Economies with robust IP frameworks see faster deployment of ICT and stronger digital environments, while those imposing localization policies or forced technology transfers risk stifling progress.
The findings reinforce that IP protections are not automatic—they require deliberate policy choices. From aerospace materials to robotics and advanced communications, the pathway to future breakthroughs depends on maintaining a legal and regulatory environment that rewards creativity, safeguards investments, and enables global collaboration.