Global IP Insights:
Key Takeaways from Australian IP Report 2025
In July, IP Australia released its Australian IP Report 2025. The report highlights key trends that extend beyond Australia, providing valuable insights for IP professionals globally. As innovation and technology continue to evolve worldwide, the report’s data offers a unique perspective on international shifts that will influence IP strategies across various jurisdictions.
In this article, we have compiled a summary of the highlights from the reports for the international market.
Non-Resident Filings Trends
In 2024, Non-resident trademark filings increased by 9.0%, with China leading the surge. There was a notable increase in filings for household goods, particularly those sold through e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Temu.
Non-residential patent applications experienced substantial growth in 2024, mainly driven by applications from China. China contributed to a 5.2% increase in standard patent applications compared to 2023. The United States remained a major source but with more modest growth.
Overall design right filings reached a new high in 2024, increasing by 8.9% compared to 2023! Despite a noticeable dip in resident applications in 2021, both resident and non-resident filings have shown steady growth since then. This suggests a rising awareness of the importance of filing a design right.
IP Australia has released a new tool called IP Rights Overview making it faster and easier to explore Australian IP data. The new IP Rights Overview presents easy-to-read infographics and visualisations of the latest IP trends.
International Treaties Reshape Global IP Practice
In the past year, Australia has played a significant role in concluding two landmark international agreements that will fundamentally change how IP practitioners approach applications worldwide.
The WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge
The WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge now mandates disclosure of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications. This represents the culmination of decades of negotiation and will require patent attorneys globally to adapt their filing strategies, particularly in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. The treaty aims to ensure proper recognition and respect for Indigenous Knowledge while maintaining innovation incentives.
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty, finalised after 20 years of negotiations, promises to simplify international design protection by reducing regulatory burdens and streamlining access to multiple markets. For practitioners handling design portfolios, this treaty will offer new efficiencies in protecting client innovations across jurisdictions.
New Research Transforms Patent Strategy
Australian research has uncovered compelling evidence about the strategic value of patent application timing. Below are the findings that apply across all major patent jurisdictions:
- Small innovators benefit significantly from accelerated patent processing, showing increased commercialisation rates and higher patent renewal likelihood
- Large corporations prefer application delays to evaluate commercial potential and market positioning thoroughly
- Patent grant delays create market uncertainty that deters innovation investment globally
This research suggests that timing strategies should be tailored to client size and business models, with small businesses often benefiting from expedited processing. Conversely, larger entities may prefer strategic delays for portfolio evaluation.
China’s Rising IP Influence
The dramatic surge in Chinese IP filings in Australia, with increases of 5.2% for patents, 45.4% for trade marks, and 65.5% for designs, reflects broader global trends that IP practitioners worldwide are experiencing.
China has overtaken the United States as the leading overseas source of trademark applications in Australia. This growth mirrors China’s rapid technological advancements and evolving global trade structure. The trend suggests that Chinese companies are increasingly prioritising international IP protection as they expand globally.
For international practitioners, this signals the importance of understanding Chinese IP strategy and the growing likelihood of encountering Chinese-originated applications in their home jurisdictions.
Key Sector Developments
Electric Vehicles and Clean Technology
The EV sector is experiencing significant growth, with China leading at 75% annual patent growth, compared to 38.4% for the US. Australia ranks second globally in domestic EV patents.
Biotechnology Renaissance
Major US biotechnology companies are significantly increasing Australian patent filings across healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and industrial applications. The convergence of AI and biotechnology creates new IP opportunities, especially relevant for life sciences practitioners.
SME Strategic Adoption
Small and medium enterprises increasingly recognise the strategic value of IP, with research showing trademarks boost startup valuations by 20-22%. SME trademark adoption rates continue to rise as businesses understand IP’s role in attracting investment and strengthening competitive edge.
AI and Copyright Intersection
Australia’s Copyright and AI Reference Group highlights the urgent global need to address AI’s impact across the copyright value chain, from training data to liability for AI-generated content. With over $800 million distributed through collecting societies in 2023-24, the economic stakes are significant.
These developments signal that IP practitioners globally must prepare for evolving challenges in clean technology, biotechnology, SME education, and AI-copyright intersection issues.
Our key takeaways from the 2025 Australia IP Report
Australia’s IP data reveals a global innovation landscape characterised by rapid technological change, shifting geographic patterns, and evolving international frameworks. For IP practitioners worldwide, these trends offer both challenges and opportunities as the profession adapts to serve clients in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
The fundamental principles of IP practice remain constant: protecting innovation, fostering creativity, and enabling businesses to realise value from their intellectual assets. The Australian data provides a roadmap for where these principles will be most tested and most valuable in the years ahead.
If you’re considering how these global IP trends might impact your business or IP strategy in Australia, please don’t hesitate to contact the Cooper IP team to discus further how we can support you.
To read the full report, click here.
To read an overview of the report, click here.
Authored by Michael Cooper
