Global IP Benchmarking Survey 2024

Introduction

IAM and World Trademark Review invite you to participate in our new ground-breaking research project, the 2024 Global IP Benchmarking Survey.

This ambitious project sees IAM and WTR come together to survey professionals across the patent and trademark divide, in order to provide a benchmark for IP practice management. Our research reveals key trends in the organisation of the IP function, including in relation to finance, structure, headcount and responses to global events.

Responses to the survey will be treated with full confidentiality. Only anonymised and aggregated information will be used for publication of the survey results by IAM and WTR. Written comments may be used anonymously in editorial coverage of the results. The survey is free to enter, and respondents’ details will not be used for commercial purpose, nor shared with third parties

The deadline for completion is 11 June 2024.

When completing the survey, please take note of the following:

Respondents must click the 'Submit' button at the end of the survey to ensure their responses are saved.

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. If you need more time, please click the 'Save and continue later' button located at the bottom of each page. You will then receive a link to the survey to complete later. We recommend completing the survey within 48 hours.

Thank you for your participation.

1. Do you work in a primarily trademark-facing role or a primarily patent-facing role? *This question is required.

2. How have you seen the general public's respect for IP rights change over the past 12 months?

Why has it changed so significantly?

3. How do you think the role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and economic growth in the global economy has changed over the past 12 months?

4. How do you feel about the impact of global geopolitical developments in the past 12 months on IP laws and regulations?

Why are you concerned?

5. How has your IP-related workload changed over the past 12 months?

6. How do you expect your IP-related workload to change in the next 12 months?

Why do you expect this change?

7. How satisfied or concerned are you with the following aspects of your professional life in your IP department/organisation?

(1 being very concerned; 2 somewhat concerned; 3 neutral; 4 somewhat satisfied; 5 very satisfied)

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5
Work-life balance	Work-life balance: 1	Work-life balance: 2	Work-life balance: 3	Work-life balance: 4	Work-life balance: 5
Mental health and wellbeing	Mental health and wellbeing: 1	Mental health and wellbeing: 2	Mental health and wellbeing: 3	Mental health and wellbeing: 4	Mental health and wellbeing: 5
Manageability of workloads	Manageability of workloads: 1	Manageability of workloads: 2	Manageability of workloads: 3	Manageability of workloads: 4	Manageability of workloads: 5
Professional support (including training)	Professional support (including training): 1	Professional support (including training): 2	Professional support (including training): 3	Professional support (including training): 4	Professional support (including training): 5
Office culture	Office culture: 1	Office culture: 2	Office culture: 3	Office culture: 4	Office culture: 5
Communication with management	Communication with management: 1	Communication with management: 2	Communication with management: 3	Communication with management: 4	Communication with management: 5
Career progression prospects	Career progression prospects: 1	Career progression prospects: 2	Career progression prospects: 3	Career progression prospects: 4	Career progression prospects: 5
Technology/resources to do the job	Technology/resources to do the job: 1	Technology/resources to do the job: 2	Technology/resources to do the job: 3	Technology/resources to do the job: 4	Technology/resources to do the job: 5
Employee benefits (outside of salary)	Employee benefits (outside of salary): 1	Employee benefits (outside of salary): 2	Employee benefits (outside of salary): 3	Employee benefits (outside of salary): 4	Employee benefits (outside of salary): 5

For the elements you find concerning, can you explain why?

8. Do you feel adequately recognised and rewarded for your contributions within your IP department?

What makes you feel this way?

9. Is your IP department using generative AI tools (eg, ChatGPT, Dall-E, Google Bard) to assist with IP-related work?

In what ways are you using AI tools to assist with IP-related work?

10. Do you expect generative AI tools to create significant IP enforcement issues?

In what ways?

11. To what extent does your IP department/organisation support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?

What types of initiatives, if any, would you like to see?

12. How would you describe the level of gender diversity and inclusion in the IP industry?

What barriers or challenges exist for gender equity in the IP industry? Please provide examples if possible.

13. How would you describe the level of racial diversity and inclusion in the IP industry?

What obstacles or challenges hinder racial equity in the IP industry? Please provide examples if possible.

14. To what extent do you believe the IP industry is inclusive to LGBTQ+ individuals?

What obstacles or challenges hinder LGBTQ+ equity in the IP industry? Please provide examples if possible.

15. To what extent do you believe the IP industry is inclusive to neurodiverse individuals?

What obstacles or challenges hinder neurodiverse equity within the IP industry? Please provide examples if possible.

16. Have you personally experienced or witnessed instances of discrimination or bias within the IP industry based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, neurodiversity or other factors?

If you are willing, can you share any examples of the discrimination or bias you have witnessed? (As a reminder, comments will only be shared anonymously)

Please rate the following IP offices – the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) – for each criteria on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

Quality of examination processes:

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	N/A
USPTO	USPTO: 1	USPTO: 2	USPTO: 3	USPTO: 4	USPTO: 5	USPTO: N/A
UKIPO	UKIPO: 1	UKIPO: 2	UKIPO: 3	UKIPO: 4	UKIPO: 5	UKIPO: N/A
CNIPA	CNIPA: 1	CNIPA: 2	CNIPA: 3	CNIPA: 4	CNIPA: 5	CNIPA: N/A
JPO	JPO: 1	JPO: 2	JPO: 3	JPO: 4	JPO: 5	JPO: N/A
KIPO	KIPO: 1	KIPO: 2	KIPO: 3	KIPO: 4	KIPO: 5	KIPO: N/A
EUIPO	EUIPO: 1	EUIPO: 2	EUIPO: 3	EUIPO: 4	EUIPO: 5	EUIPO: N/A

Efficiency of examination processes:

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	N/A
USPTO	USPTO: 1	USPTO: 2	USPTO: 3	USPTO: 4	USPTO: 5	USPTO: N/A
UKIPO	UKIPO: 1	UKIPO: 2	UKIPO: 3	UKIPO: 4	UKIPO: 5	UKIPO: N/A
CNIPA	CNIPA: 1	CNIPA: 2	CNIPA: 3	CNIPA: 4	CNIPA: 5	CNIPA: N/A
JPO	JPO: 1	JPO: 2	JPO: 3	JPO: 4	JPO: 5	JPO: N/A
KIPO	KIPO: 1	KIPO: 2	KIPO: 3	KIPO: 4	KIPO: 5	KIPO: N/A
EUIPO	EUIPO: 1	EUIPO: 2	EUIPO: 3	EUIPO: 4	EUIPO: 5	EUIPO: N/A

Responsiveness and customer service:

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	N/A
USPTO	USPTO: 1	USPTO: 2	USPTO: 3	USPTO: 4	USPTO: 5	USPTO: N/A
UKIPO	UKIPO: 1	UKIPO: 2	UKIPO: 3	UKIPO: 4	UKIPO: 5	UKIPO: N/A
CNIPA	CNIPA: 1	CNIPA: 2	CNIPA: 3	CNIPA: 4	CNIPA: 5	CNIPA: N/A
JPO	JPO: 1	JPO: 2	JPO: 3	JPO: 4	JPO: 5	JPO: N/A
KIPO	KIPO: 1	KIPO: 2	KIPO: 3	KIPO: 4	KIPO: 5	KIPO: N/A
EUIPO	EUIPO: 1	EUIPO: 2	EUIPO: 3	EUIPO: 4	EUIPO: 5	EUIPO: N/A

IP services value for money:

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	N/A
USPTO	USPTO: 1	USPTO: 2	USPTO: 3	USPTO: 4	USPTO: 5	USPTO: N/A
UKIPO	UKIPO: 1	UKIPO: 2	UKIPO: 3	UKIPO: 4	UKIPO: 5	UKIPO: N/A
CNIPA	CNIPA: 1	CNIPA: 2	CNIPA: 3	CNIPA: 4	CNIPA: 5	CNIPA: N/A
JPO	JPO: 1	JPO: 2	JPO: 3	JPO: 4	JPO: 5	JPO: N/A
KIPO	KIPO: 1	KIPO: 2	KIPO: 3	KIPO: 4	KIPO: 5	KIPO: N/A
EUIPO	EUIPO: 1	EUIPO: 2	EUIPO: 3	EUIPO: 4	EUIPO: 5	EUIPO: N/A

Effectiveness of digital services (including online filing and trademark search):

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	N/A
USPTO	USPTO : 1	USPTO : 2	USPTO : 3	USPTO : 4	USPTO : 5	USPTO : N/A
UKIPO	UKIPO : 1	UKIPO : 2	UKIPO : 3	UKIPO : 4	UKIPO : 5	UKIPO : N/A
CNIPA	CNIPA: 1	CNIPA: 2	CNIPA: 3	CNIPA: 4	CNIPA: 5	CNIPA: N/A
JPO	JPO: 1	JPO: 2	JPO: 3	JPO: 4	JPO: 5	JPO: N/A
KIPO	KIPO: 1	KIPO: 2	KIPO: 3	KIPO: 4	KIPO: 5	KIPO: N/A
EUIPO	EUIPO: 1	EUIPO: 2	EUIPO: 3	EUIPO: 4	EUIPO: 5	EUIPO: N/A

Adoption of new technologies and innovations:

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	N/A
USPTO	USPTO: 1	USPTO: 2	USPTO: 3	USPTO: 4	USPTO: 5	USPTO: N/A
UKIPO	UKIPO: 1	UKIPO: 2	UKIPO: 3	UKIPO: 4	UKIPO: 5	UKIPO: N/A
CNIPA	CNIPA: 1	CNIPA: 2	CNIPA: 3	CNIPA: 4	CNIPA: 5	CNIPA: N/A
JPO	JPO: 1	JPO: 2	JPO: 3	JPO: 4	JPO: 5	JPO: N/A
KIPO	KIPO: 1	KIPO: 2	KIPO: 3	KIPO: 4	KIPO: 5	KIPO: N/A
EUIPO	EUIPO: 1	EUIPO: 2	EUIPO: 3	EUIPO: 4	EUIPO: 5	EUIPO: N/A

Which areas have you/your clients’ trademark department worked on in the past 12 months?
(Select all that apply)

How have the risks to your/your clients’ trademark/brand portfolio changed in the past 12 months in the following areas?

Space Cell	Increased significantly	Increased slightly	Stayed the same	Decreased slightly	Decreased significantly	N/A
Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms	Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms: Increased significantly	Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms: Increased slightly	Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms: Stayed the same	Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms: Decreased slightly	Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms: Decreased significantly	Counterfeits on e-commerce and other online platforms: N/A
Counterfeits in physical environments	Counterfeits in physical environments: Increased significantly	Counterfeits in physical environments: Increased slightly	Counterfeits in physical environments: Stayed the same	Counterfeits in physical environments: Decreased slightly	Counterfeits in physical environments: Decreased significantly	Counterfeits in physical environments: N/A
Social media and online reputation issues	Social media and online reputation issues: Increased significantly	Social media and online reputation issues: Increased slightly	Social media and online reputation issues: Stayed the same	Social media and online reputation issues: Decreased slightly	Social media and online reputation issues: Decreased significantly	Social media and online reputation issues: N/A
Domain name infringement	Domain name infringement: Increased significantly	Domain name infringement: Increased slightly	Domain name infringement: Stayed the same	Domain name infringement: Decreased slightly	Domain name infringement: Decreased significantly	Domain name infringement: N/A
Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space	Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space: Increased significantly	Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space: Increased slightly	Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space: Stayed the same	Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space: Decreased slightly	Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space: Decreased significantly	Infringement in the crypto/metaverse space: N/A
AI-related infringement	AI-related infringement: Increased significantly	AI-related infringement: Increased slightly	AI-related infringement: Stayed the same	AI-related infringement: Decreased slightly	AI-related infringement: Decreased significantly	AI-related infringement: N/A
Grey market goods	Grey market goods: Increased significantly	Grey market goods: Increased slightly	Grey market goods: Stayed the same	Grey market goods: Decreased slightly	Grey market goods: Decreased significantly	Grey market goods: N/A
Passing off/lookalikes	Passing off/lookalikes: Increased significantly	Passing off/lookalikes: Increased slightly	Passing off/lookalikes: Stayed the same	Passing off/lookalikes: Decreased slightly	Passing off/lookalikes: Decreased significantly	Passing off/lookalikes: N/A

For those that changed significantly, what led to that? (optional)

Are you more or less concerned about brand protection issues in the crypto/metaverse/NFT space, compared to 12 months ago?

Why has your concern changed?

Are you more or less concerned about brand protection issues in the AI space, compared to 12 months ago?

Why has your concern changed?

Finally, what are your biggest concerns about being able to protect your/your clients’ brands in the next 12 months?

Please rate the quality of patents issued by the following IP offices – the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO).

Space Cell	Very poor	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very good	Excellent
USPTO	USPTO: Very poor	USPTO: Poor	USPTO: Adequate	USPTO: Good	USPTO: Very good	USPTO: Excellent
KIPO	KIPO: Very poor	KIPO: Poor	KIPO: Adequate	KIPO: Good	KIPO: Very good	KIPO: Excellent
JPO	JPO: Very poor	JPO: Poor	JPO: Adequate	JPO: Good	JPO: Very good	JPO: Excellent
EPO	EPO: Very poor	EPO: Poor	EPO: Adequate	EPO: Good	EPO: Very good	EPO: Excellent
CNIPA	CNIPA: Very poor	CNIPA: Poor	CNIPA: Adequate	CNIPA: Good	CNIPA: Very good	CNIPA: Excellent

How has the quality of patents issued by the following agencies changed over the past 18 months?

Space Cell	Improved	Stayed the same	Worsened
USPTO	USPTO: Improved	USPTO: Stayed the same	USPTO: Worsened
KIPO	KIPO: Improved	KIPO: Stayed the same	KIPO: Worsened
JPO	JPO: Improved	JPO: Stayed the same	JPO: Worsened
EPO	EPO: Improved	EPO: Stayed the same	EPO: Worsened
CNIPA	CNIPA: Improved	CNIPA: Stayed the same	CNIPA: Worsened

Please rate the services that you have received from the following agencies

Space Cell	Very poor	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very good	Excellent
USPTO	USPTO: Very poor	USPTO: Poor	USPTO: Adequate	USPTO: Good	USPTO: Very good	USPTO: Excellent
KIPO	KIPO: Very poor	KIPO: Poor	KIPO: Adequate	KIPO: Good	KIPO: Very good	KIPO: Excellent
JPO	JPO: Very poor	JPO: Poor	JPO: Adequate	JPO: Good	JPO: Very good	JPO: Excellent
EPO	EPO: Very poor	EPO: Poor	EPO: Adequate	EPO: Good	EPO: Very good	EPO: Excellent
CNIPA	CNIPA: Very poor	CNIPA: Poor	CNIPA: Adequate	CNIPA: Good	CNIPA: Very good	CNIPA: Excellent

Please rate the value for money of the patents issued by the following agencies

Space Cell	Very low	Low	Adequate	High	Very high
USPTO	USPTO: Very low	USPTO: Low	USPTO: Adequate	USPTO: High	USPTO: Very high
KIPO	KIPO: Very low	KIPO: Low	KIPO: Adequate	KIPO: High	KIPO: Very high
JPO	JPO: Very low	JPO: Low	JPO: Adequate	JPO: High	JPO: Very high
EPO	EPO: Very low	EPO: Low	EPO: Adequate	EPO: High	EPO: Very high
CNIPA	CNIPA: Very low	CNIPA: Low	CNIPA: Adequate	CNIPA: High	CNIPA: Very high

How has your patent filing activity changed in each jurisdiction over the past year?

Space Cell	Filing significantly more	Filing slightly more	Filing the same	Filing slightly fewer	Filing significantly fewer
USPTO	USPTO: Filing significantly more	USPTO: Filing slightly more	USPTO: Filing the same	USPTO: Filing slightly fewer	USPTO: Filing significantly fewer
KIPO	KIPO: Filing significantly more	KIPO: Filing slightly more	KIPO: Filing the same	KIPO: Filing slightly fewer	KIPO: Filing significantly fewer
JPO	JPO: Filing significantly more	JPO: Filing slightly more	JPO: Filing the same	JPO: Filing slightly fewer	JPO: Filing significantly fewer
EPO	EPO: Filing significantly more	EPO: Filing slightly more	EPO: Filing the same	EPO: Filing slightly fewer	EPO: Filing significantly fewer
CNIPA	CNIPA: Filing significantly more	CNIPA: Filing slightly more	CNIPA: Filing the same	CNIPA: Filing slightly fewer	CNIPA: Filing significantly fewer

Are you abandoning more or fewer patents in each jurisdiction than you were one year ago?

Space Cell	Abandoning more	Abandoning the same	Abandoning fewer
USPTO	USPTO: Abandoning more	USPTO: Abandoning the same	USPTO: Abandoning fewer
KIPO	KIPO: Abandoning more	KIPO: Abandoning the same	KIPO: Abandoning fewer
JPO	JPO: Abandoning more	JPO: Abandoning the same	JPO: Abandoning fewer
EPO	EPO: Abandoning more	EPO: Abandoning the same	EPO: Abandoning fewer
CNIPA	CNIPA: Abandoning more	CNIPA: Abandoning the same	CNIPA: Abandoning fewer

Have you or your clients been involved in more or less litigation over the past 12 months?

Space Cell	Significantly more	Somewhat more	About the same	Somewhat less	Significantly less
USPTO	USPTO: Significantly more	USPTO: Somewhat more	USPTO: About the same	USPTO: Somewhat less	USPTO: Significantly less
KIPO	KIPO: Significantly more	KIPO: Somewhat more	KIPO: About the same	KIPO: Somewhat less	KIPO: Significantly less
JPO	JPO: Significantly more	JPO: Somewhat more	JPO: About the same	JPO: Somewhat less	JPO: Significantly less
EPO	EPO: Significantly more	EPO: Somewhat more	EPO: About the same	EPO: Somewhat less	EPO: Significantly less
CNIPA	CNIPA: Significantly more	CNIPA: Somewhat more	CNIPA: About the same	CNIPA: Somewhat less	CNIPA: Significantly less

How are you expecting patent litigation levels to change for you or your clients over the next 12 months?

Space Cell	Significant increase	Somewhat increase	Stay about the same	Somewhat decrease	Significant decrease
USPTO	USPTO: Significant increase	USPTO: Somewhat increase	USPTO: Stay about the same	USPTO: Somewhat decrease	USPTO: Significant decrease
KIPO	KIPO: Significant increase	KIPO: Somewhat increase	KIPO: Stay about the same	KIPO: Somewhat decrease	KIPO: Significant decrease
JPO	JPO: Significant increase	JPO: Somewhat increase	JPO: Stay about the same	JPO: Somewhat decrease	JPO: Significant decrease
EPO	EPO: Significant increase	EPO: Somewhat increase	EPO: Stay about the same	EPO: Somewhat decrease	EPO: Significant decrease
CNIPA	CNIPA: Significant increase	CNIPA: Somewhat increase	CNIPA: Stay about the same	CNIPA: Somewhat decrease	CNIPA: Significant decrease

What are the most pressing concerns for you or your clients? (pick three)

What has been the overall impact of the Biden administration on patent owners?

How significant has the impact of Europe’s Unified Patent Court and unitary patent been on your or your client’s patent strategy?

What are your/your clients’ feelings towards the European Union’s proposed SEP licensing regulation?

How would you rate the overall state of patent rights in the following jurisdictions (1 being the weakest and 10 being the strongest)?

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
United States	United States: 1	United States: 2	United States: 3	United States: 4	United States: 5	United States: 6	United States: 7	United States: 8	United States: 9	United States: 10
Europe	Europe: 1	Europe: 2	Europe: 3	Europe: 4	Europe: 5	Europe: 6	Europe: 7	Europe: 8	Europe: 9	Europe: 10
China	China: 1	China: 2	China: 3	China: 4	China: 5	China: 6	China: 7	China: 8	China: 9	China: 10
India	India: 1	India: 2	India: 3	India: 4	India: 5	India: 6	India: 7	India: 8	India: 9	India: 10
Brazil	Brazil: 1	Brazil: 2	Brazil: 3	Brazil: 4	Brazil: 5	Brazil: 6	Brazil: 7	Brazil: 8	Brazil: 9	Brazil: 10

What is your/your clients’ general feeling towards developments in the global patent landscape?

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