The United States stands as a global leader in investing in intangible capital a concept that encompasses more than just physical assets. This form of capital includes investments in knowledge-producing activities such as research and development (R&D), software creation, and the production of entertainment, literary, and artistic originals. Companies safeguard these investments through intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as they pursue commercial opportunities.
In 2026, the economic impact of IP-intensive industries was nothing short of remarkable. These sectors contributed significantly to the nation’s economic landscape, demonstrating their vital role in driving growth and innovation.
The substantial economic contribution of IP-intensive industries
IP-intensive industries played a pivotal role in the US economy, accounting for a staggering $11.4 trillion (or 44%) of the private sector GDP in 2026. This substantial contribution highlights the importance of intellectual property in various sectors. Trademark-intensive industries alone contributed $9.5 trillion to the GDP, while utility patent- and design patent-intensive industries added $5.6 trillion and $6.8 trillion respectively. Copyright-intensive industries, though smaller in comparison, still accounted for a notable $1.9 trillion.
These figures underscore the diverse ways in which intellectual property fuels economic growth. The data, sourced from the USPTO estimates using information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, provides a clear picture of the economic landscape shaped by IP-intensive industries. It’s important to note that some industries are intensive in more than one form of IP, which is why the individual forms of IP do not sum up to the total IP-intensive value.
The employment impact of IP-intensive industries
The contribution of IP-intensive industries extends beyond economic output; they also play a crucial role in employment. In 2026, these industries supported approximately 66 million US private sector jobs. This figure includes both direct and indirect employment. Direct employment captures all workers within IP-intensive industries, while indirect employment accounts for jobs in non-IP-intensive industries that depend on sales to IP-intensive sectors.
In 2026, IP-intensive industries directly employed roughly 50 million individuals. Additionally, they indirectly accounted for the employment of an additional 16 million individuals in non-IP-intensive industries. Relative to total US private sector employment, IP-intensive industries directly accounted for 33% of total employment and indirectly accounted for another 11%. This data, sourced from the USPTO estimates using information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics, highlights the far-reaching impact of these industries on job creation.
Understanding the economic and employment contributions of IP-intensive industries is essential for appreciating their role in driving innovation and growth. As the United States continues to invest in intangible capital, the impact of these industries is likely to grow, shaping the future of the economy and employment landscape.
