EUIPO and UKIPO Share Top Spot as World’s Most Innovative IP Offices in 2026 Ranking

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has once again been recognized as one of the world’s most innovative trademark offices, sharing the top position in the 2026 World Trademark Review (WTR) IP Office Innovation Ranking with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). This is the first year that UKIPO has joined EUIPO at the pinnacle of the rankings, reflecting its significant advancements in digital tools and a wide array of non-core services.

WTR’s IP Office Innovation Ranking is a multi-year initiative designed to evaluate how trademark offices worldwide are expanding beyond their traditional roles of managing IP registers. The ranking assesses offices based on their digital capabilities, dispute resolution mechanisms, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enforcement cooperation, and public outreach efforts.

The joint first-place finish marks a milestone for UKIPO, which has consistently ranked within the top five in previous years. Survey respondents praised UKIPO’s cutting-edge digital approach and comprehensive non-core offerings, highlighting its evolution into a leading innovator.

Meanwhile, the EUIPO has maintained its position as a global innovation leader, securing its sixth top ranking since 2017. Previously, the former Korean Intellectual Property Office had tied with EUIPO in 2022, but EUIPO topped the list outright in 2017, 2018, 2019, and now again in 2026. One survey participant succinctly described EUIPO as “very active” and “an example for all other IP offices.”

A notable feature of the 2026 ranking is the increased emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting the technology’s growing influence in trademark administration. The methodology distinguishes between public-facing AI tools and examiner-facing systems, providing a detailed view of AI deployment across offices.

Although AI adoption remains uneven globally, the findings indicate a shift from pilot projects to meaningful operational use at a select number of offices. IP Australia received widespread acclaim for its AI-assisted pre-filing and examiner support tools, which aim to reduce filing errors and enhance consistency.

Similarly, EUIPO is recognized for its extensive AI integration behind the scenes, including decision management and multilingual translation systems that manage high volumes of trademark applications across multiple languages.

Just behind the joint leaders, several offices continue to demonstrate strong innovation. IP Australia and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore maintain high scores due to their robust digital platforms and targeted user support initiatives. Additionally, IP offices in the Benelux region, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea feature prominently, reflecting sustained investments in online systems and institutional capacity.

Conversely, the ranking highlights persistent challenges faced by some offices, particularly those with limited resources. Respondents noted issues such as uneven digital reliability and a lack of non-core services beyond basic registry functions.

In certain jurisdictions, trademark offices still lack the funding or technical capacity to expand beyond core administrative roles. This underscores the ongoing need for collaboration between well-resourced offices and those with fewer resources to bridge innovation gaps.

The full WTR analysis includes detailed assessments of digital tools, non-digital initiatives, and practitioner insights from over 40 jurisdictions worldwide. This comprehensive report is available exclusively to WTR subscribers.

As AI and digital innovation continue to reshape trademark administration, the 2026 IP Office Innovation Ranking offers valuable insights into which offices are leading the way and where challenges remain.