Intellectual Property in ASEAN has increasingly become an area of growing importance, as an enabler of trade, a force in innovation and a tool towards the growth of ASEAN MSMEs. Appropriate management of Intellectual Property can help increase revenue streams of businesses and enhance shareholders’ value, while timely and efficient registration can help protect these revenue streams against infringing products and services.

Intellectual Property includes patents, utility models, copyright, industrial designs, trademarks, plant variety protection, integrated circuits design, genetic resources, trade secret, traditional knowledge and geographical indications. Intellectual Property is present throughout the supply chain and plays a role in the promotion of several key industries within the ASEAN Economic Community.

Recognising the critical role of intellectual property in strengthening regional competitiveness, the cooperation on intellectual property rights (IPR) began with the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AFAIPC) signed in December 1995. The Agreeement laid the foundation for strengthening IP development and cooperation to support ASEAN’s broader economic integration efforts.

The AFAIPC, scheduled for upgrading after 2026, sets out cooperation modalities and key thematic priorities, including convergence in AMS IP laws, policies, and enforcement measures; supporting ASEAN micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the creation, protection, and commercialisation of IP; advancing regional ASEAN IP mechanisms; and aligning approaches to IP commercialisation, including IP valuations and financing, with international IP practices and principles. All of these will drive the development of a more integrated IP system, which will position ASEAN as an attractive single integrated market, for investors and businesses seeking streamlined intellectual property protection in the region.

IPR cooperation in ASEAN is spearheaded by the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC), which was established in 1996 to promote cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property. To help advance the work of the AWGIPC, several ASEAN sub-committees have since been established, namely the Trademarks Task Force (TMTF) the Patent Task Force (PTF), the Industrial Design Task Force (IDTF), the ASEAN Network of IP Enforcement Experts (ANIEE), the Digital Transformation Task Force (DTTF), and the Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) Network.

These mechanisms collectively advance ASEAN’s work to accelerate the pace and scope of IP asset creation, commercialization and protection; to improve the regional framework of policies and institutions relating to IP and IPRs; to promote IP cooperation and dialogues within the region as well as Dialogue Partners and organizations; to strengthen IP-related human and institutional capabilities in the region, including fostering greater public awareness of IP and IPR issues and implications.

Progress has been made in recent years on enhancing work-sharing arrangement through the establishment and utilization of the ASEAN Patent Examination Cooperation (ASPEC) program which is the first regional patent work sharing program among AMS.

Regional IP databases have also been created and improved, with the ASEAN IP Register currently serving as a consolidated, regional database covering the registration of patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications for all AMS. The IP Register improves transparency, accessibility, and the availability of IP information across all AMS.

Cooperation activities to support the key areas of the upgraded AFAIPC will be implemented through the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2026-2030 and subsequent Action Plans. The ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2026-2030 sets, out the following strategic measures:

1. Strengthen the effectiveness of national IPR regimes to stimulate economic growth, by enabling adaptation to new technological measures and emerging trends;
2. Harmonise IP regulatory frameworks and advance regional platforms and institutions;
3. Facilitate IP asset creation, management, and commercialisation for economic growth;
4. Foster an ASEAN culture of respect for IP, compliance, and enforcement of IP rights; and,
5. Promote IP for sustainable and inclusive growth in ASEAN.

Implementation Strategic Measures under the AIPRAP 2026-2030 will improve ASEAN’s IP systems and increase the confidence of IP users and creators. The five Strategic Measures are supported by 14 Activities and a further 43 Strategic Initiatives.

The Activities, which will provide the basis for achieving the objectives of the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2026-2030, are as follows:

1. Build digitally empowered IP Offices that provide accessible, user-centric services;
2. Develop a global ready ASEAN IP system which closely aligns with international IP standards
3. Develop national IP strategies to enhance the impact and effectiveness of overall national development goals towards achieving regional harmonization
4. Advance convergence of IP regulatory frameworks within ASEAN
5. Upgrade IP regional cooperation mechanisms and platforms to strengthen ASEAN’s competitiveness
6. Advance ASEAN IP’s institutionality
7. Enhance ASEAN’s capacity to better facilitate and incentivise market-driven IP/IA asset generation across ASEAN and beyond
8. Empower ASEAN innovators/ creators to adopt an IP-centric, value-based approach to managing and commercialising IP/IA assets
9. Strengthen IP/IA support mechanisms and services tailored to nurturing Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.
10. Develop and implement a comprehensive and relevant public awareness roadmap to build a strong culture of respect and advocacy for IP across ASEAN.
11. Catalyse and foster collaborative efforts across the IP enforcement ecosystem for effective enforcement of IPRs
12. Foster dialogue and collaboration with relevant IP stakeholders across and beyond ASEAN to promote compliance and support enforcement of IPRs.
13. Promote the strategic use of IP/IA to address key challenges and identify new opportunities in sustainable development.
14. Support inclusive access to economic opportunities for all innovators and creators through capacity building and raising awareness.

Beyond the initiatives and deliverables under the AIPRAP 2026–2030, the cross-cutting nature of Intellectual Property means that IP is embedded across numerous ASEAN economic frameworks, including those relating to the Digital Economy, Creative Economy, innovation and technology development, and sustainable development. Recognising this broad relevance, the AWGIPC also monitors IP-related activities across other ASEAN economic sectors to ensure coherence, complementarity, and strategic alignment in advancing ASEAN’s wider economic integration agenda.