Why spend money on IP?
The subject of the report is the influence of intellectual property rights (IPR) on the economic performance of companies in the EU.
The main findings of the study are: Companies that own IPR achieve on average 23.8% higher sales per employee compared to companies without IPR. After accounting for factors such as industry, company size and location, this advantage increases to 41%. Employees in companies with IPR receive on average 22% higher wages than their colleagues in companies without IPR. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit particularly from IPR. Although only about 10% of EU SMEs own registered IPR, they report a 44% higher turnover per employee compared to SMEs without IPR. Companies that combine several types of IPR, such as trademarks and designs, see the highest increases in turnover per employee.
Consequently, there is a clear positive correlation between the ownership of IPR and the economic performance of companies in the EU. And a considerable potential for SMEs in particular to increase their competitiveness and profitability by acquiring and using IPR.The results underline the need to raise awareness of the benefits of IPR.
You might also be interested in this
Following legal disputes relating to the origin of chocolate bars another feature of chocolate bars is causing a stir these days: their shape.
We summarize the Bamberg Regional Court’s decision dated March 11, 2026 (case no. 1 HK O 19/25) for you and explain its implications for platform operators and influencers.
The copyright status of the world-famous Diary of Anne Frank has been the subject of international controversy for many years. Differing regulations on neighboring rights within the EU have sparked a territorial conflict over copyright protection in the digital age, which is now even being addressed by the European Court of Justice.
A trademark is one of a company’s most valuable assets. It stands for quality, recognizability, and trust among customers. In addition, a trademark enables a clear differentiation from the competition and strengthens the brand presence in the long term. These and many other advantages speak in favor of protecting a sign as a trademark at an early stage.
