Overview

Published annually, the Australian IP Report presents the latest statistics and research on the use of intellectual property (IP) rights in Australia, including patents, trade marks, design rights, plant breeder’s rights and copyright.  

IP rights are key to creating a more productive and dynamic economy which will raise Australian’s living standards. A productive economy is one that does more with less, realises new solutions to its needs, reduces its footprint and frees time, making better use of its human capital.

IP rights contribute to these aims by fostering innovation, opening access to breakthrough technologies and ideas, supporting small businesses to grow, and strengthening business resilience.

IP rights enable innovators to earn financial benefit and recognition from what they invent or create, encouraging investment in new ideas. By protecting innovators from copying, IP rights help coax inventive solutions to practical problems out of secrecy and into public view, where they can be reworked by others.

For businesses, obtaining IP rights spurs research investment,¹ productivity growth and employment.² For small and new enterprise, in particular, IP rights can help in attracting investment and bringing their ideas to market.³ For exporters, IP rights provide a store for value when facing uncertainty and tools for navigating shocks in global markets. 

In 2024, the number of trade mark filings was surpassed only by the record level observed in 2021, showing an increase of 2.8% compared to their level in 2023. Additionally, design filings achieved a record high, with an 8.9% increase over 2023

Applications fell for standard patents (–3.3%) and plant breeder’s rights (–1.7%). However, patent grants rose by 23.8% on their level in 2023 due largely to productivity improvements in examination (see Figure 0.1).

Figure 0.1 At a glance: IP rights statistics, 2024

The global economic outlook is highly uncertain. Global policy uncertainty related to trade tensions could weigh on investment and employment in Australia and across our major trading partners. IP rights are a versatile set of tools that can help buffer against uncertainty and increase business resilience to shocks.

• International studies suggest that businesses can use IP rights as a store of value when facing uncertainty – when IP rights can be licensed or sold, businesses can later recoup their investments in knowledge.⁴
• IP Australia research suggests that IP rights can help increase the resilience of exporters to shocks in global markets. A study of 9,000 Australian manufacturers found that exporters with trade mark-protected brands in export markets are more likely to expand and diversify their product exports in response to tariff and exchange rate shocks.⁵

The IP system is flexible, with many different routes and options for accessing protection. As one example, applicants have considerable strategic flexibility to influence IP application timeframes. A new study for IP Australia presented in this report shows that this flexibility in patents delivers significant economic benefits, especially for small innovators.

In 2024, reduced filings from the United States, offset by growth from China

In 2024, reduced filings from the United States across patents, trade marks and designs constrained overall application growth. Less IP activity from US innovators was partially offset by growth in applications from China: filings originating from China were up by 5.2% for standard patents, 45.4% for trade marks and 65.5% for designs.

It is likely that the increased filings from China reflect a recent boom in ecommerce, with a high concentration in household items. However, they also appear linked to China’s rapid advancement in science and technology and associated change in its trade structure.

Transport was a key bright spot for growth in patents, trade marks and designs, driven by Chinese filers. These trends reflect China’s growing market share in electric vehicles and related parts (including batteries), which has increased market competition.⁶

The latest IP trends point also to Australia’s strengthening biotechnology industry, both as a destination market for biotechnology solutions and as the field where Australian innovators are most rapidly increasing their patent activity.

An adaptable IP system

The global IP system is robust and adaptable to change, as technology, society and the economy evolves. In the past year Australia has played a significant role in concluding 2 landmark international treaties that will support communities of innovators, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

In May 2024, member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization approved a historic new Treaty. This Treaty mandates the disclosure of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications. Under the Treaty, when an invention is based on traditional knowledge linked to genetic resources, applicants must identify the Indigenous Peoples or local community that supplied this traditional knowledge. Capping decades of negotiation, the Treaty aims to recognise and respect Indigenous Knowledge and encourage collaboration and benefit sharing between traditional custodians and other innovators. IP Australia has also established a pilot Indigenous Knowledge Panel to ensure that our decision makers are better informed on matters relating to Indigenous Knowledge and the IP system.

A second international treaty, the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, aims to simplify access to international markets for designers and reduce the regulatory burdens they face in seeking design protection. These developments reflect the importance of international cooperation and engagement toward shaping a global IP system that supports Australian innovators.

IP data for decision makers

This year IP Australia has released a new tool making it faster and easier to explore Australian IP data. The new IP Rights Overview presents easy-to-read infographics and visualisations of the latest IP trends. Alongside the data in this report, the tool is powered by IP Australia’s open data product, IP RAPID.⁷ This provides detailed data on IP applications filed in Australia spanning more than 100 years. The data is refreshed weekly, in a format amenable to analysis and research.

IP Australia’s research, data and analytical tools complement its comprehensive educational resources and services. Together, they are designed to enable applicants to take a more proactive approach when navigating the IP system, taking advantage of its flexibility, its many routes and options for seeking effective protection.

Now in its 13^th year, the Australian IP Report offers a rich account of IP activity in Australia to inform engagement between government, industry, researchers and the wider community. We welcome you to join the conversation.

• Web: Office of the Chief Economist
• Email: chiefeconomist@ipaustralia.gov.au

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