Launching the International Trademark Index 2025: A Global Look at Trademark Excellence
May 15, 2025
The International Trademark Index (ITI) 2025 officially launched this week by Professor Walter Park of American University and Chrysa Kazakou attorney and global fellow of PRA, providing a powerful new lens through which to view and evaluate global trademark systems. The Index covers 129 jurisdictions focusing on the accessibility, reliability, and effectiveness of national and regional IP frameworks. The report evaluates performance using four core pillars and a total of 22 data-driven indicators, aiming to support businesses, policymakers, and IP professionals in understanding and improving trademark environments. The ITI 2025 employs a structured approach, dividing its assessment into:
1. Treaties: Evaluates a country’s participation in international agreements related to trademark protection.
2. Coverage: Assesses the extent and inclusivity of national trademark laws.
3. Procedure: Examines the efficiency and transparency of the trademark registration process.
4. Trademark Applications: Analyzes the volume and trends of trademark applications within the country.
Each cluster comprises specific variables that are averaged to derive a cluster score. The overall ITI score ranges from 0 to 1, with 1 indicating the highest level of trademark protection.
This year, China, Austria, and Italy emerged as top performers, demonstrating high scores across all pillars. Meanwhile, Hungary, Sweden and France, rank fourth, fifth and sixth respectively showcasing strong trademark protection frameworks within Europe. Countries like Angola, Nepal and Mauritius are positioned at the lower end of the rankings, suggesting a need for enhanced trademark protection mechanisms. With trademark filings at an all-time high globally, and cross-border enforcement challenges on the rise, the International Trademark Index 2025 arrives at a critical moment. By spotlighting strengths and gaps in national IP systems, it aims to drive continuous improvement and foster a more coherent, accessible, and efficient global trademark landscape. As the global economy evolves, the Index will remain a cornerstone resource for anyone invested in safeguarding brand identity on a worldwide scale.