The global IP management software market size was valued at USD 8.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach from USD 9.6 billion in 2024 to USD 27.2 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 13.22% during the forecast period (2024-2032).
The increase in market share during the forecast period is related to growing patent and trademark applications and growing outsourcing of IP management services by large enterprises.
The Intellectual Property (IP) Management Software Market refers to digital platforms that help businesses, law firms, and research institutions manage and protect their intellectual assets, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and licenses. These tools streamline IP-related processes, including filing applications, managing portfolios, tracking infringement cases, automating renewal reminders, and preparing for litigation. With the increasing complexity of IP management, particularly across global markets, businesses are turning to software solutions to safeguard their intellectual assets and maintain a competitive edge. As innovation becomes a primary driver of economic growth, managing intellectual property portfolios efficiently is critical for maintaining corporate value. IP management software also supports digital workflows, reducing reliance on paper-based processes and improving the accuracy and transparency of IP transactions.
The surge in global patent filings and the rise in trademark registrations have fueled demand for such software in recent years. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based solutions further accelerates the growth of this market, allowing firms to manage vast amounts of IP data and gain predictive insights. Notable industry players like CPA Global, Anaqua, and Clarivate deliver innovative IP management solutions, driving growth in key markets such as the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Highlights
The increase in global patent and trademark filings is a crucial IP management software market driver. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), global patent filings grew by 5% in 2023, with China accounting for the largest share, followed by the United States and Japan. Similarly, the European Patent Office (EPO) recorded a 7% increase in applications, driven by innovation in pharmaceuticals, technology, and renewable energy sectors. The trend toward patent-heavy industries, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and artificial intelligence, is pushing companies to adopt IP management software to handle large, complex portfolios.
Additionally, in 2024, India’s trademark applications grew by 9%, reflecting the country’s increasing emphasis on intellectual property rights. Such growth underscores the necessity for efficient IP management systems, which automate and streamline IP processes, thereby increasing market demand.
Large enterprises increasingly outsource IP management to third-party service providers to reduce operational costs and focus on core business functions. In 2024, outsourcing IP services grew by 15% globally, driven by the rising complexity of managing international IP portfolios. Companies are opting to outsource their IP tasks, such as patent filings, trademark renewals, and infringement monitoring, to specialized firms that offer expertise and cutting-edge technology.
Despite the growing importance of intellectual property, many businesses—tiny and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—remain unaware of the benefits of IP management software and the advantages of outsourcing. As of 2024, it is estimated that nearly 35% of businesses in developing markets still rely on manual processes to handle their IP assets. Additionally, many organizations are concerned about the security risks associated with outsourcing, fearing potential data breaches or losing control over sensitive IP information. Cybersecurity concerns were heightened by several high-profile IP-related data breaches in 2023, reinforcing hesitancy among companies to adopt third-party solutions. These factors limit the full-scale adoption of IP management software, particularly in less mature markets.
The global focus on digital transformation presents a significant opportunity for the market. Governments and corporations worldwide emphasize digitizing intellectual property rights to streamline processes and reduce costs.
Similarly, India launched its National IP Strategy in 2024, which includes a comprehensive digital platform for filing patents and trademarks designed to reduce application times by 30%. The shift toward digital IP management, combined with AI-powered analytics and cloud-based platforms, is expected to drive market growth, offering significant opportunities for software providers to expand their offerings and cater to a growing digital-first clientele.
Study Period | 2020-2032 | CAGR | 13.22% |
Historical Period | 2020-2022 | Forecast Period | 2024-2032 |
Base Year | 2023 | Base Year Market Size | USD 8.9 Billion |
Forecast Year | 2032 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 27.2 Billion |
Largest Market | Asia-Pacific | Fastest Growing Market | North America |
Asia-Pacific is a dominant shareholder in the global market and is expected to experience a CAGR of 19.94% during the forecast period. The region’s demand for intellectual property (IP) rights has surged, driven primarily by China's growing influence. According to the World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPO) 2024, Asia accounted for over 55% of international patent applications in 2023, underscoring the region's leadership in global IP filings. China alone contributed to over 40% of global patent filings, making it a significant growth driver. Additionally, India has seen a sharp rise in patent filings, growing by 8.5% in 2023, fueled by IT, pharmaceuticals, and engineering innovation.
Additionally, mergers and expansions are accelerating the market's growth in this region. In 2024, MaxVal Group Inc. opened its fifth office in Hyderabad, India, building on its rapid expansion across the country. The firm now houses over 150 employees in India, focusing on serving a growing customer base across the Asia-Pacific. Moreover, Japan and India have expanded their Bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program, fast-tracking IP processes, thus promoting further patent filings. Such initiatives and governmental efforts are expected to drive significant market expansion in the coming years.
North America is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.45%, driven by the increasing complexity of intellectual property management and the rising number of patent applications. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recorded over 700,000 patent filings in 2023, reflecting a 6% year-on-year increase, mainly due to technological innovations, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. In 2024, the U.S. continued to lead globally in the number of patents granted in AI and healthcare technologies, further expanding the need for IP management solutions. Key developments include Clarivate Plc enhancing its IP Management Software with AI-powered analytics in early 2024 to improve corporate portfolio management.
In addition, the USPTO expanded its Patents 4 Partnerships platform to include climate-related technologies, encouraging patent holders to license their innovations. North America's robust legal framework and growing emphasis on innovation further push demand for sophisticated IP management tools.
Europe continues to grow steadily as a critical market for IP management software, benefiting from its highly developed IP infrastructure. According to WIPO's 2024 report, the European Patent Office (EPO) received over 195,000 patent applications in 2023, a 3.4% increase from the previous year, driven by advancements in renewable energy, healthcare, and AI technologies. Germany, France, and Switzerland remain leading players in patent filings within the region.
Furthermore, the region has also seen significant market activity in 2024. ClarkeModet expanded its European operations by opening a new office in Berlin, focusing on integrating its services with IP portfolios in Asia and the U.S. Similarly, Questel introduced advanced blockchain-based IP management tools, offering enhanced security and transparency for IP transactions. The growing adoption of digital solutions in IP management, combined with strong regulatory support, is expected to fuel continued growth in the region.
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) remain the smallest contributors to the global IP management software market, poised for gradual growth. Saudi Arabia is leading the way with its ambitious National IP Strategy, launched in 2024 by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). The strategy includes updating IP regulations, raising awareness, and streamlining the IP filing process. These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to diversify its economy and encourage innovation. The UAE has also made strides in improving its IP framework. In early 2024, the UAE Ministry of Economy announced plans to digitize the country’s IP filing system to reduce processing times by 40%. These initiatives, combined with growing awareness of the value of intellectual property, are expected to create a more favorable environment for IP management software adoption across the region.
We can customize every report - free of charge - including purchasing stand-alone sections or country-level reports
The cloud segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 19.12% during the forecast period. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), or cloud-based software, has been increasingly adopted by businesses worldwide for mission-critical applications. Businesses with fluctuating bandwidth requirements must be able to increase and decrease their capacity quickly. Cloud technology provides organizations with the scalability to increase or decrease their bandwidth based on their business requirements. This method can reduce expenses and give companies a competitive edge. All businesses are planning for the worst-case scenario regarding data and IT systems.
Moreover, implementing disaster recovery plans can pose a significant financial burden for small enterprises with limited financial resources and a lack of specialized knowledge. Software over the cloud helps them with these issues as most cloud technologies now have built-in disaster recovery processes. Therefore, the cloud may provide many advantages in storing, sharing, and collaborating on IP projects.
The software segment dominates the global market share and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.13% over the forecast period. Managing and tracking all the developments, obligations, and tasks associated with an enterprise's intellectual properties are tedious and prone to avoidable risks. Moreover, storing such critical information on traditional/old solutions or generic systems makes it highly vulnerable to a data breach and non-compliance, resulting in a definite loss of revenue. The IP Management software provides a centralized IP management solution enabling enterprises to securely manage their IP-related data, documents, tasks, and obligations on a centralized system that includes patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights across domestic or foreign filings and oppositions.
Additionally, it uses artificial intelligence to assist in detecting violations and infringement cases, keeping up with the growing volume of digital IP infringements. These instruments support contract renewal, disclosure agreements, and the resolution of IP issues. They encourage collaboration among scientists, engineers, researchers, IP teams, business executives, and legal departments.
The patent intellectual property management segment is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.46% throughout the forecast period. Patent IP management has observed a substantial shift toward digitization in recent years. In 2021, the number of patent filings had increased significantly.
Other major Japanese corporations like Fujitsu, Hitachi, and Canon followed NTT. In a report published in February 2022, the international patent applications filed through WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which is amongst the widely used metrics for measuring innovative activity, grew by 0.9% in 2021 to reach 277,500 applications. Therefore, the increase in patent filing is expected to boost the market growth.
The IT and Telecom segment owns the highest market share and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.82% throughout the forecast period. The IT and telecom industry is a highly innovative and rapidly changing area. The industry encompasses new developments in emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, 5G, machine learning, and big data. With the flourishing amount of data produced worldwide owing to IoT and Internet penetration, the development of data centers has increased significantly. In April 2021, HPE, Facebook, and Microsoft announced that they would make hundreds of data center patents available for free to scale the adoption of low-carbon technologies. Such initiatives require IP management software.
Additionally, the growth in cloud technologies and the transition of the IT and telecom sector to cloud-based technologies led to the development of cloud-based IP management software.