Published
April 08, 2026
Copyright is the backbone of the global creative economy. The 2026 International IP Index highlights where economies are embracing copyright protection and enforcement to advance creativity and where governments are falling behind.
The big picture: Copyright policy continues to evolve across Index economies, with notable improvements made even as work remains.
- Fifteen economies now score 70% or higher in the copyright category because of more effective copyright protection frameworks and enforcement tools.
- The average copyright score rose to 51.84%, continuing a steady upward trend over recent editions of the Index.
This progress matters: It shows that targeted reforms deliver results, especially when policymakers focus on practical enforcement in the digital environment. From the use of dynamic injunctions to stronger enforcement measures, several countries made measurable progress in tackling online piracy:
- Europe: Poland and Greece adopted reforms to strengthen protection for creators online, resulting in score increases for both economies.
- Nigeria: New administrative powers under the 2023 Copyright Act enabled authorities to disable access to a major piracy website, signaling a more assertive enforcement posture.
- Peru: The government continued to clamp down on online piracy by disabling hundreds of websites hosting infringing content. As a result of the government’s sustained copyright enforcement efforts, Peru’s copyright score has increased by more than two‑thirds since earlier editions of the Index.
- Brazil: The Supreme Court issued a ruling outlining digital platforms’ responsibilities, including removing copyright-infringing content upon notice by the rightsholder.
Yes, but: Despite these advances, challenges remain widespread:
- Online piracy remains high in many markets, with limited or ineffective remedies to disable infringing content.
- Legal ambiguity around AI is growing. Broad, fast‑moving global AI policies are creating uncertainty for both creators and technology developers.
- Implementation gaps persist. Even where laws exist on paper—such as copyright commitments made through trade agreements—follow‑through is often incomplete.
The takeaway: While the 2026 IP Index points to meaningful momentum on copyright, the report underscores that the job is not finished. Piracy remains pervasive in many jurisdictions, implementation gaps persist, and emerging issues—particularly around AI—will test whether today’s frameworks can adapt fast enough.
The opportunity is clear: Economies that build on recent gains, close enforcement gaps, and provide legal certainty for creators will be best positioned to foster creativity, support growth, and lead in the digital economy.
About the author
Kelly Anderson
Kelly Anderson serves as vice president of international policy at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC). Anderson oversees the GIPC’s global advocacy efforts and leads the GIPC’s policy engagement in the multilateral organizations and developed economies.
