News

Special release: Hogan Lovells IP In-house Market Study: IP at the Next Frontier

Building Strategic Value amid Rising Complexity

27 January 2026

The IP landscape is evolving faster than ever. From AI-driven transformation to fragmented global enforcement and internal alignment challenges, in-house teams are under pressure to deliver more value across the business and with unprecedented urgency.

This market study draws upon insights from more than 200 senior in-house counsel IP professionals, across six sectors and 11 markets, bringing together three interconnected critical trends influencing the future of IP management.

Click for client access to our IP In-house Market Study

Three trends we'll explore:

Navigating Global IP Enforcement Complexity: Companies are tackling cross-border enforcement challenges, managing fragmented regulatory landscapes, and developing agile strategies to succeed in multi-jurisdictional disputes.
AI as a Transformative Force: Forward-thinking IP teams are harnessing AI for smarter operations, experimenting across patent drafting, prior art searches, and invention assessment, while balancing efficiency gains with risk management and ethical considerations.
Strategic IP Fit for the Future: High-performing teams are shifting from a defensive posture to a strategic, innovation-driven approach—aligning closely with business priorities, leveraging technology, and optimizing operating models to create measurable business value.

While regulatory upheaval remains the top challenge for 49% of IP functions*—and 25% of respondents report mixed internal perceptions of their role—a new dynamic is taking shape.

Nearly half of IP functions are now recognized as strategic value creators, positioning their organizations to innovate and compete in an increasingly complex market—a shift that is redefining priorities.

Packed with exclusive benchmarks, client perspectives, and our Hogan Lovells point-of-view, this study empowers you to anticipate change and seize opportunity.

*IP Function: The role IP plays in a business and team aligned to this function. Report data identifies three main categories; Operational (support function, cost center), Strategic (innovation enabler, revenue driver, core business asset), and Transitional (perceptions vary across Operational and Strategic qualities).