Companies around the world are increasingly recognising the value in identifying, managing and exploiting the key intellectual property (IP) held within their organisation, however, ongoing budgetary pressures mean a more focused approach to IP management is required. These were among the key findings from CPA Global’s third annual State of the IP Industry Survey.

Some 77% of in-house IP professionals polled said there is now a greater understanding of IP strength and quality in their organisation than in years gone by. But 78% added that budget control was one of the most important factors influencing their IP priorities in 2011; and 55% of law firm respondents highlighted budgets as their corporate clients’ main concern.

The has driven many corporate IP teams to streamline the administration of IP management and instead focus on higher-value IP-management aspects and territories. The survey found that 74% of corporate respondents identified the need for more focused IP management strategies.

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The move to hone IP management strategies reflects sentiments at a recent series of IP roundtables organised by IP Review, in which delegates counselled that IP management must be aligned with the priorities of the business as a whole, whether relating to specific market sectors or new products and services.

Simon Webster, business operations director at CPA Global, the world’s leading IP management and software services provider, said: “The survey results show strong recognition for the importance and value of IP, with companies around the world increasingly building IP into their broader business strategies. In the face of ongoing pressure on budgets, understanding what you have in your IP portfolio and making sure your IP is aligned with your business objectives is all the more critical.

‘The survey also shows that, with the emergence of new global markets and the various challenges they bring, IP professionals are having to do more work – in many cases with the same or less budget and resource. Therefore, both corporates and law firms are looking at more innovative ways to handle their IP management. As we are seeing at CPA Global, part of this involves greater use of IP management software, as well as outsourcing an increasing number of tasks to specialist IP management services providers such as ourselves.”

A wide-ranging view

CPA Global’s State of the IP Industry Survey is compiled from the responses of more than 300 IP professionals, split evenly between in-house legal departments and law firms. The survey paints a picture of an industry having to adjust to swift changes in the global economy and the growing sophistication of IP systems in emerging markets. It also reveals that corporate IP departments are striving to help other divisions of their organisations understand that nurturing IP assets over time can help drive a company’s competitive strength and growth. This has put a fresh emphasis on the correct valuation and prioritisation of IP Rights.

An important cornerstone of this process is carrying out regular IP audits – then putting the work in to analyse the findings and what they mean for the IP portfolio concerned. Some 66% of corporate respondents said that they conducted IP audits at least once a year to ensure the competitive strength of their portfolios. Meanwhile, 77% cited greater awareness of the importance of IP valuation as having a significant impact on their business.


To download a full survey report please click here