UK maintains top global ranking amidst shifting landscape
The UK has once again secured a joint top position for its work in the trade mark environment, achieving a perfect score in the latest International IP Index.
This year's Index, published by the US Chamber of Commerce, evaluates the intellectual property systems of 55 global economies, providing a clear picture of what is working well and where improvement is needed.
Perfect score for trade marks – again
With a perfect score of 100%, the UK shares first place globally with the United States and France, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world's leading jurisdictions for brand protection.
The UK's continued top ranking reflects the strength, consistency, and effectiveness of its trade mark framework.
Strong performance across categories
While the UK's designs score dipped to 75% from last year's perfect score, it remains above the worldwide average of 64.18% and among only 20 countries to reach that threshold.
The UK also ranked second globally for enforcement, scoring 95.43% in a category where fewer than half of all countries managed to exceed 50%.
Holding firm in a shifting landscape
The report warns of a growing erosion of IP leadership among some of the world's most influential economies, with score declines largely concentrated in high-income countries traditionally seen as global IP standard-setters, including eight EU member states.
The report’s message is unambiguous, stating that the results offer a clear path forward: “strengthen IP protection, enforce existing commitments, and ensure that every creator, inventor, and entrepreneur can bring their ideas to the world.”
Against this backdrop the UK provides stability, having maintained its second place position overall for IP. Neither the US nor the UK saw any change in their score during the past year.
Overall IP environment rankings:
| 1 | U.S. | 95.15% |
| 2 | UK | 93.98% |
| 3 | France | 93.11% |
| 4 | Germany | 92.02% |
| 5 | Sweden | 91.72% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 90.89% |
| 7 | Japan | 90.81% |
| 8 | Ireland | 89.13% |
| 9 | Spain | 86.34% |
| 10 | South Korea | 85.94% |
Trade marks:
| =1 | France | 100% |
| =1 | UK | 100% |
| =1 | U.S. | 100% |
| 2 | South Korea | 93.75% |
| =3 | Germany | 87.50% |
| =3 | Ireland | 87.50% |
| =3 | Japan | 87.50% |
| =3 | New Zealand | 87.50% |
| =3 | Sweden | 87.50% |
| =3 | Switzerland | 87.50% |