Taiwan retains top-20 ranking in global IP environment survey

2019/02/13

Taiwan boasts the 20th-best intellectual property environment in the world, according to the latest survey released Feb. 8 by Washington-based Global Innovation Policy Center under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
 
 Scoring 28.05 out of 45, Taiwan is fourth in Asia after Japan, eighth; Singapore, 10th; and South Korea, 13th. The top three spots are held down by the U.S., U.K. and Sweden in that order.
 
 Among the eight major categories used in the Intellectual Property Index, Taiwan outperformed in patents. It earned maximum points in five out of the eight subindicators, including computer-implemented inventions, requirements and terms of protection.
 
 The report also commended Taiwan for promulgating provisions on patent linkage in early 2018, describing related legislation as underscoring the effectiveness of government efforts in strengthening the country’s IP environment for biopharmaceuticals and life sciences.
 
 Equally praiseworthy are Patent Act draft amendments increasing the term of protection for design patents from 12 to 15 years, the report said, adding that other high points are a patent framework in line with global standards and a commitment to implementing the provisions of several international IP treaties.
 
 The report identified areas in which Taiwan can make further improvement: gaps in the digital copyright regime, relatively high rates of online piracy and physical counterfeiting, and uncertainty in the technology licensing environment.
 
 Published annually since 2013, the report assesses the IP environments of 50 major economies representing 90 percent of global gross domestic product. It covers 45 indicators in eight categories, including commercialization of IP assets, enforcement and systemic efficiency, membership and ratification of international treaties, and trade secrets.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)