Deloitte’s 2023 IP 360 Survey Reveals Evolving Trends in Intellectual Property Management Across Industries

Deloitte has released its first-ever IP 360 Survey to provide a comprehensive view of how intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets drive value across businesses globally. Drawing on insights from 57 senior IP leaders representing a diverse range of companies—from startups to multinational corporations—the survey explores current practices in IP management, valuation, and communication within organizations.

The survey reflects Deloitte’s extensive experience working with clients across all industry sectors and geographies, engaging with multiple stakeholders in both public and private sectors. Over recent years, Deloitte has observed growing professionalization in IP management and a heightened recognition of IP rights as strategic assets that can enhance competitive advantage, shareholder value, and profitability through licensing, pricing strategies, and government incentives.

A key finding of the survey is the maturity and comprehensiveness of approaches to managing registered IP rights. Regardless of company size or portfolio scale, IP departments demonstrate diligence and strategic acumen in capturing and maintaining these assets.

However, the survey also highlights evolving portfolio compositions, with data, trade secrets, and know-how emerging as increasingly valuable intangible assets. Despite this recognition, there is no standardized or consistent approach across companies for managing these non-registered intangibles, indicating an area ripe for development.

Another prominent theme is the siloed nature of IP functions within organizations. While IP teams commonly report to general counsel, engagement with broader C-suite executives—including strategy leaders, chief information officers, and tax departments—is less frequent. This isolation limits the integration of IP strategy into wider business planning and decision-making.

Commercialization of intangible assets remains an underleveraged opportunity. The survey reveals low levels of exploitation in terms of monetization, utilization of government incentives, and optimization of transfer pricing. Deloitte suggests that breaking down organizational silos and bridging knowledge gaps between IP and tax functions could unlock significant revenue and cash flow potential.

The survey’s findings underscore the importance of linking intangible asset value to meet the needs of internal stakeholders beyond the IP department. Enhancing cross-functional collaboration and adopting more holistic management frameworks could improve how companies capitalize on their intangible assets.

Deloitte’s IP 360 Survey serves as a benchmark for businesses aiming to refine their IP strategies and better harness the full spectrum of intangible assets. The firm encourages stakeholders to consider these insights to drive greater value from their IP portfolios in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape.

For further information and to participate in ongoing discussions, Deloitte invites feedback and engagement from IP professionals and business leaders worldwide.