European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights annual report 2013.
Date: 2014-10-09
Institutions: European Union Intellectual Property Office
Subjects: European Union Intellectual Property Office, activity report, copyright, intellectual property

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01 - Introduction

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02 - The Observatory and OHIM

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02 - The Observatory and OHIM

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03 - Studies

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Box 3: Intellectual property right-intensive industries: contribution to economic 
performance and employment in the European Union

Box 4: European citizens and intellectual property: perception, 

awareness and behaviour

The key findings of the economic contribution study are that 39% of total economic activity in the EU, or €4.7 
trillion annually, is generated by IPR-intensive industries. Approximately 26% of all employment in the EU (56 
million jobs) is provided directly by these industries and another 20 million jobs (9% more) rely indirectly on 
them. IPR-intensive industries also account for 90% of external trade.

The study showed that many industries depend on a mixture of IP rights but also identified industries that make 
particularly intensive use of individual IP rights.

Trade mark-intensive industries, for example, account for 46 million employees or 20% of total employment, 
while design-intensive industries support 27 million employees or just over 12% of the total.

Not only do IPR-intensive industries account for a significant share of EU employment, but the jobs concerned 
also pay more than others. The average weekly salary in IPR-intensive industries is €715, compared with €507 in 
non IPR intensive industries – a difference of 41%.

The study also includes many other detailed results, broken down both by IP right and by Member State.

market-driven economy and big brands.

The IP Perception Study was the first large-scale study of this kind in the EU and was conducted by telephone 

interviews with a large sample of 26 500 citizens drawn from all 28 Member States.

In addition, focus groups were held with groups of citizens in nine Member States. The interviewees were 

selected to be representative of different age groups, education levels, occupations, sexes and nationalities.

Overall, 96% of citizens say they support innovation and creativity by rewarding inventors, creators and artists 

for their work and more than two-thirds (69%) agree that companies generating a lot IP contribute significantly 

more to the creation of jobs and economic growth.

A majority of respondents say that they have not downloaded or streamed illegal content from the internet or 

bought counterfeit goods intentionally in the previous 12 months.

However, when they look at the issue from a personal perspective, a significant number of Europeans believe 

that an IP infringement can be justified, for example because it is a ‘smart’ purchase or a ‘protest’ against a 

Other justifications include: lack of access to legal offers for digital downloads, high cost, and a perception that 

buying counterfeit goods is a ‘victimless crime’.

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Box 3: Intellectual property right-intensive industries: contribution to economic 

performance and employment in the European Union

Box 4: European citizens and intellectual property: perception, 
awareness and behaviour

The key findings of the economic contribution study are that 39% of total economic activity in the EU, or €4.7 

trillion annually, is generated by IPR-intensive industries. Approximately 26% of all employment in the EU (56 

million jobs) is provided directly by these industries and another 20 million jobs (9% more) rely indirectly on 

them. IPR-intensive industries also account for 90% of external trade.

The study showed that many industries depend on a mixture of IP rights but also identified industries that make 

particularly intensive use of individual IP rights.

Trade mark-intensive industries, for example, account for 46 million employees or 20% of total employment, 

while design-intensive industries support 27 million employees or just over 12% of the total.

Not only do IPR-intensive industries account for a significant share of EU employment, but the jobs concerned 

also pay more than others. The average weekly salary in IPR-intensive industries is €715, compared with €507 in 

non IPR intensive industries – a difference of 41%.

The study also includes many other detailed results, broken down both by IP right and by Member State.

The IP Perception Study was the first large-scale study of this kind in the EU and was conducted by telephone 
interviews with a large sample of 26 500 citizens drawn from all 28 Member States.

In addition, focus groups were held with groups of citizens in nine Member States. The interviewees were 
selected to be representative of different age groups, education levels, occupations, sexes and nationalities.

Overall, 96% of citizens say they support innovation and creativity by rewarding inventors, creators and artists 
for their work and more than two-thirds (69%) agree that companies generating a lot IP contribute significantly 
more to the creation of jobs and economic growth.

A majority of respondents say that they have not downloaded or streamed illegal content from the internet or 
bought counterfeit goods intentionally in the previous 12 months.

However, when they look at the issue from a personal perspective, a significant number of Europeans believe 
that an IP infringement can be justified, for example because it is a ‘smart’ purchase or a ‘protest’ against a 
market-driven economy and big brands.

Other justifications include: lack of access to legal offers for digital downloads, high cost, and a perception that 
buying counterfeit goods is a ‘victimless crime’.

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04 - Enforcement Tools

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04 - Enforcement Tools

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06 - Best-practice Reports

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06 - Best-practice Reports

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07 - Reports on IP in the Digital World

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07 - Reports on IP in the Digital World

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08 - Communication

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08 - Communication

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09 - Orphan Works Database

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09 - Orphan Works Database

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11 - Multiannual Work Plan for the Observatory

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11 - Multiannual Work Plan for the Observatory

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12 - Challenges for 2014

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