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IP and Economics

Intellectual property (IP) protection is an important component of national economic policies. Governments face complex choices on how to design an IP system that best serves their policy objectives, and how to respond to changes in technology and in business models that challenge the status quo.

WIPO seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the economic effects of different IP policy choices and to offer a first entry point for information on the economics of IP.

Innovation Economics Themes

Innovation Economics Themes
(Photo: Getty Images)

Innovation Gender Gap
Studying the gender gap in the IP system is a step towards fostering a more inclusive innovation landscape.

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Economic effects of innovation policies

How do government policies impact innovation? We distill the economic thinking on the topic and provide empirical evidence to help inform policymakers of the dynamic effects of the different policies on innovation and economic growth.

WIPR

World Intellectual Property Report

WIPO’s flagship analytical publication that examines different themes of innovation. Published every two years.

Innovation, IP and Development

Empirical economic studies examining the impact of IP on innovation and economic growth in less-developed economies.

WIPO economic research working papers

Economic research papers produced by the Department of Economics and Data Analytics.

Global Innovation Index

The Global Innovation Index (GII) provides detailed metrics about the innovation performance of more than 130 countries and economies around the world.

Creative Economy Notes

This interactive series draws on original economic research to stimulate thinking on how the intellectual property framework can best serve the creative industries.

(Photo: Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Intellectual Property, Innovation and Economic Development series

This series of scholarly research is published in collaboration with Cambridge University Press. Each book in the series examines a major aspect of the interface between IP, innovation and economic development.

Innovation Economics Themes

Innovation Economics Themes
(Photo: Getty Images)

Innovation Gender Gap

Studying the gender gap in the IP system is a step towards fostering a more inclusive innovation landscape.

Innovation Economics Themes
(Photo: Getty Images)

Innovation Hotspots

Figuring out where innovators are and connecting them opens the gateway to a vibrant, global innovation ecosystem.

Economic research portal

(Photo: eric1513 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

References to Economic of Innovation

Find relevant literature on the economics of innovation and IP.

(PHOTO: RICK_JO / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS)

Data for Researchers

Explore the innovation data frequently used in economic studies.

(Screenshot: Megan MacGarvie, WIPO Seminar Series, 2013)

Economic Insights Videos

Listen to the economists talk about their research on innovation and IP.

Related links

IP statistics

WIPO cooperates with IP offices across the world to collate, analyze and publish up-to-date statistics, including reports on IP filing activity worldwide. Find out more about WIPO statistics.

About IP

Policy topics