Published
August 27, 2025
The Chamber’s annual International IP Index benchmarks the strength of 55 economies’ intellectual property (IP) framework, providing a roadmap for governments seeking to foster innovation and creativity through stronger IP. This week, the Chamber released additional data illustrating the socio-economic benefits economies can receive by making a conscious policy choice to embrace IP protection. The supplemental Statistical Annex (the Annex) underscores a clear message: strong IP protection drives productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth.
What it says: The Annex illustrates the strong, positive correlation between effective IP protection and 30 economic variables. The Annex highlights how economies with strong IP rights and enforcement:
- Are 41% more attractive to foreign investment.
- See 33% more private sector investment in R&D.
- Produce five times more complex technology and four times more complex research.
- Are up to 42% more competitive.
Zoom-in on copyright: The Annex also reveals the transformative impact of copyright-intensive industries. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and international trade, serving as a cornerstone of the global economy.
By the numbers: Economies with strong copyright protection see the largest contribution of creative industries to national GDP and employment. For example, in the U.S., France, and South Korea, copyright-intensive industries support 7-12% of national GDP and 6-8% of national employment, highlighting their role as a major economic driver and job creator.
Yes, and: Copyright-intensive industries also play an increasingly vital role in supporting trade and the global economy.
- Global trade in creative goods and services has surged to over $2 trillion, with creative services alone accounting for $1.5 trillion.
- Nearly all of the world’s top 10 exporters of creative services achieve a score of 80% or greater in the Index, illustrating how strong IP supports the growth of trade in creative services.
- In the U.S. alone, trade in digitally delivered services grew to $285 billion, serving as a critical source of export revenue for the U.S. economy.
The bottom line: The Annex emphasizes that IP protection is not just a legal safeguard—it’s a catalyst for economic growth. As the global economy becomes increasingly knowledge-driven, nations that prioritize robust IP frameworks will lead in innovation, creativity, and economic prosperity. Let’s champion policies that protect IP to secure a brighter future for all.
Related Reading:
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.
