Innovation Asset Blog

Report: U.S. lagging in property protections

According to a recent report published by the Property Rights Alliance, the United States is falling behind other wealthy nations in protecting property rights.

The study, called the 2011 International Property Rights Index, examined a number of factors related to property protection, including legal and political environments, physical property rights and intellectual property rights.

The study measured intellectual and physical property rights in 129 countries, in partnership with 67 participant organizations.

According to the study's findings, the U.S. received a score of 7.5 out of a possible 10, putting it behind 17 other countries. This is the lowest ranking the U.S. has received since the study's first report, in 2007.

Despite its regression, the U.S. achieved better results in intellectual property than in physical property, with an intellectual property rights ranking of 8.4.

PRA executive director Kelsey Zahourek said the study's results indicate that, at a time of "economic turbulence and financial uncertainty," countries should be taking measures to ensure stability. "Strong property rights is one key component," he said. 

Peter Ackerman

Peter Ackerman

Founder & CEO, Innovation Asset Group, Inc.