At Minx Law, we advise global brands on complex intellectual property challenges that extend far beyond traditional filing and prosecution. Seasoned leaders responsible for growth understand that IP law is no longer just a technical matter, it’s a strategic opportunity.
This year, the IP landscape is evolving in ways that demand thoughtful leadership from boards and C-suites worldwide. As artificial intelligence reshapes workflows and creators, and fragmented enforcement and brand protection tightens in the digital realm, we must rethink IP beyond patents and trademarks.
As we look to the future, here are some of the most relevant and impactful conversations taking place at Minx Law:
1. IP Strategy Must Live at the Board Table
Intellectual property is increasingly recognized as a core enterprise asset that drives valuation, investor confidence, and competitive differentiation.
Nearly nine in ten legal leaders report a recent rise in IP infringements, and 90 percent expect this trend to continue in the coming year, reflecting both globalization and the digitization of commerce.
For boards and leadership teams, this means IP strategy can no longer be an afterthought. It must be incorporated into discussions around product development, market entry, mergers and acquisitions, and enterprise risk.
Minx Law partners with leadership teams early so IP does not become a regulatory interruption or litigation expense. Instead, IP is a consideration from beginning to end, acting as a guide for smart brand decisions.
2. AI Raises Fundamental Questions of Ownership, Authorship, and Risk
Artificial intelligence remains one of the most disruptive forces in business and IP law. The technology drives innovation while exposing ambiguities in legacy doctrines built for human creators.
Current IP frameworks across major jurisdictions still emphasize human ingenuity as a prerequisite for protection, leaving AI-generated works in a gray zone without clear copyright or patent eligibility. AI tools continue to generate content that blurs the line between human and machine output, prompting debates on whether such works should be protected under traditional IP regimes.
In this environment, executives need more than reactive counsel. They need proactive policies around data governance, licensing of AI tools, and contractual clarity on ownership of outputs. Brands need to be able to pivot and apply IP strategy quickly in this evolving technological landscape. At Minx Law, we help companies structure AI use in ways that protect proprietary assets and mitigate exposure.
3. Global Enforcement Is Fragmented and Demanding
Despite strong IP frameworks in many jurisdictions, enforcement remains complex and inconsistent. According to the U.S. Chamber’s International IP Index, global IP protection varies significantly, with even top economies scoring differently on enforcement and practical protections, despite having well-developed statutes.
Statistical insights from WIPO’s World Intellectual Property Indicators show filings for trademarks, patents, and industrial designs continue to grow across hundreds of jurisdictions, enforcement often lags behind filings in real-world impact.
In plain terms, this means IP enforcement is unpredictable. For global brands, the ability to move quickly, decisively, and with local insight is often more important than the strength of the underlying law alone.
As a result, one-size-fits-all enforcement strategies are no longer effective. Multinational organizations increasingly require counsel who can coordinate with trusted overseas counterparts and implement localized enforcement frameworks that allow brands to respond swiftly and knowledgeably to infringement as it arises.
Minx Law’s boutique advantage lies in precisely this approach. We craft enforcement strategies that are nuanced, efficient, and aligned with global business priorities.
4. Brand Protection Now Extends Beyond Trademarks
In 2026, protecting a brand means also managing experiences, digital ecosystems, and cultural perceptions.
Counterfeiting remains a persistent challenge, amplified by online marketplaces and cross-border sales. Additionally, digital threats like deepfakes and AI-generated misuse of brand assets raises new risks for brand reputation.
CEOs and boards must think holistically about brand protection and counsel must be proactively engaged in legal tools, marketing strategy, and risk frameworks work together.
At Minx Law, we partner with brands deeply. We strive to understand internal executive decisions and guide with knowledge. We are present for any potential brand risk management to ensure the company is always moving strategically.
5. Data Shows That IP Activity Is Accelerating
According to the World Intellectual Property Indicators, global filings of patents, trademarks, and designs continue to reflect high levels of innovation and brand development across sectors.
These statistics are more than academic. They reflect how businesses worldwide are aggressively protecting ideas and distinguishing themselves in competitive markets.
For leadership teams, this acceleration reinforces a simple truth: IP portfolios must do more than sit on a shelf. They must support growth, defend markets, and unlock commercial value.
In 2026, IP law is not just about securing exclusivity for inventions. It is about guiding leadership on how to think about value, risk, brand identity, and innovation governance. The challenges are global, the issues are strategic, and the stakes are high.
As a boutique firm, Minx Law is structured to serve leaders who prioritize clarity over complexity, strategy over box-checking, and resilience over reaction.
If you are thinking about what comes next, your IP strategy should be part of that conversation.
