Director Squires reflects on U.S. intellectual property strengths revealed in a recent report
On March 12, 2026, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) John A. Squires spoke to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce following the release of their 14th annual International IP Index report. The United States ranked No. 1 on the index, which serves as a global benchmark for the robustness of a country's intellectual property system.
In his remarks, Director Squires credited the index as "an extraordinarily valuable policy tool... [providing] a rational, structured, and actionable way to surmise the global innovation landscape and its contours and horizons — and gauge where intellectual property systems are impactful, where emerging risks lie, and where policy redress may be effective. And where, whether, and to what extent innovation tethers to the real economy."
The United States earned an overall score of roughly 95%—a position it has held annually since the index was first launched 14 years ago. The index evaluates 55 economies across 53 indicators. Regarding the U.S. ranking, Director Squires stated:
"[A]t America’s Innovation Agency, we take great pride that our patent system remains strong and occupies the number one spot in the report. And as you’ve seen we’ve taken the hard work head on – from eligibility, to quality, both front end and back end efforts…we’re hiring…[w]e’re teaming, we’re training, we’re incentivizing, we’re market-engaging, leaving no stone unturned to make sure the best system in the world is even stronger, more robust, more resilient, more responsive, and more relevant than ever before."
The index also identified areas where IP systems are at risk and where policy changes may be needed to ensure a brighter future. “[A]n increasingly strong warning signal we see emanating from WIPO demands prompt attention,” said Director Squires by way of an example. “[F]rom what we’re observing in both policy and structure, it seems that WIPO's mission statement is being forgotten. Someone should remind them. We will.”
Director Squires reassured, however, that “[a]s the leader on IP rights, count on our agency to affirmatively promote IP agendas that recognize the centrality of IP to economic resilience, and that are attentive to the needs of emerging technologies,” and “that America’s Innovation Agency will continue to lead the fight to ensure that IP rights are protected for our rights holders.”
The index highlighted that trade continues to underpin American economic growth, with U.S. services exports surplus contributing $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy and IP-intensive industries accounting for 31% of the total value of U.S. services exports. To this, Director Squires explained:
"Because at the end of the day, a strong intellectual property system may begin with a legal structure, but its efficacy rests on whether or not it is a foundation for economic growth, an opportunity for technological leadership, and a catalyst for human progress. The United States is proud to lead and will continue to do so, to do the hard and necessary work to ensure the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and creators can eagerly bring their ideas to market – any and all markets of their choosing - and, by so doing, make all our worlds better."
Visit the homepage to see Director Squires' full remarks.
|
