Charges for the Use of Intellectual Property, Payments in 2023 (BoP, Current US$)

France leads the Mediterranean in intellectual property (IP) payments. What does this mean?

France recorded the highest charges for the use of IP in 2023, paying over $16.2 billion for patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Given France’s status as a large economy with strong industrial and technological sectors, this comes as no surprise. Other Mediterranean countries, like Italy and Spain, also show high payments, reflecting their role in global markets. However, North African and Eastern Mediterranean nations show much lower IP payments, highlighting disparities in tech adoption and local innovation in the Med region.

But what does high IP payment tell us about a country?

• Innovation & global ties – High IP payments often indicate a country’s deep integration into global innovation networks.

• Tech-driven economy – Countries with higher IP payments tend to have advanced industries, including pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and AI-driven sectors, which rely on international patents and technology licenses.