Foreword

Welcome to the first joint Special Report by IAM and WTR. Here, we unveil the technology providers, industry leaders and institutional figures that we consider to be true disruptors in the IP space.

But first, we must define what it means to be an IP disruptor.

This report takes a bold step, looking beyond organic progression in the industry to focus specifically on disruptive change. Our sights are set on revolution, not evolution. These disruptors are individuals or companies poised to revolutionise the ways in which IP managers, teams and owners operate in the future.

We have scrutinised every stage of the IP lifecycle, from ideation and R&D to protection, enforcement and monetisation, to uncover the innovators, strategists and enforcers making the biggest operational changes to our industry. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, the disruptors identified in this report have developed innovations and strategies with the potential to cause total upheaval to established IP norms. The impact they have is overwhelmingly positive, forcing IP professionals to grasp new opportunities and make improvements across both high-level and day-to-day practices. However, some appear to threaten the underlying ethics of IP protection and, on occasion, may be seen as negative forces for change. By identifying these disruptors and their varying approaches to IP management, we aim to empower IP professionals to respond to the forces shaping their field.

While every effort has been made to capture a diverse array of disruptors, we acknowledge that few women feature in this report. While, traditionally, women have faced a much steeper mountain to climb in private practice and corporate IP environments, we believe that this is changing. Women are driving change at the top of many disrupting organisations. And the individuals named in this report are not reflective of the significant advancements that women are making in IP spheres around the world. We therefore acknowledge this gap in the report and welcome suggestions for a more diverse list of nominees worthy of consideration for future editions.

For now, we present 20 entities that we believe will continue to transform the IP landscape in 2024. IAM and WTR strive to foster a community that continually explores and celebrates the transformative potential within intellectual property. The IP Disruptor Report is a testament to embracing change, challenging paradigms and blazing new trails in IP management.