The 50 most influential people in IP

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

The 50 most influential people in IP

cover-puff.jpg

For the past 10 years Managing IP has listed what it considers to be the most influential people in the world of intellectual property. This year we have ranked the top 10 in order for the first time.

This adds an extra dimension to the list, comparing the different roles of companies, politicians and IP offices, and we hope it will stimulate some debate.

If you want to take part in that discussion, please comment on the stories online or join us on LinkedIn or Twitter (#MIP50)

top10.jpg

  • 1

    top10-1.jpg
    Larry Page

    Larry Page may not have guessed he would become a pivotal figure for IP, but as four high-profile cases pan out against Google across patents, trade marks and copyright, that’s exactly what he and his company have become

  • 2

    top10-2.jpg
    Francis Gurry

    When representatives of WIPO member states met in Beijing last month and signed a treaty, it was the first significant international IP agreement in 15 years.

  • 3

    top10-3.jpg
    David Kappos

    With the 2012 US presidential election imminent, David Kappos may be nearing the end of his reign – but for now he is leading the US into a new era of patent law

  • 4

    top10-4.jpg
    Tian Lipu

    IP rights in China have developed at a breakneck pace under Tian Lipu’s stewardship; what else does he have in store for the world’s second largest market?

  • 5

    top10-5.jpg
    Kerstin Jorna

    Kerstin Jorna has to steer Europe’s unitary patent package through some particularly choppy political waters. If she can do it, proponents say patent applicants can expect to save thousands of dollars

  • 6

    top10-6.jpg
    Bernd Schlömer

    The chairman of Germany’s Pirate Party believes in liquid democracy but not copyright. Now his biggest test is to build on the Party's early electoral success

  • 7

    top10-7.jpg
    Chief Judge Randall Rader

    The chief judge of the US patent court says the economy depends on patents

  • 8

    top10-8.jpg
    Nicola Roxon

    Nicola Roxon took on Big Tobacco with a law in Australia that prioritises public health over trade mark rights. IP owners will wait to see which countries – and which products – could be next

  • 9

    top10-9.jpg
    Judge Toshiaki Iimura

    Already known as Japan’s IP maverick, Toshiaki Iimura is now in a position to fundamentally change the country’s IP landscape

  • 10

    top10-10.jpg
    Christian Louboutin

    An unlikely candidate for the Top 50, Christian Louboutin has become embroiled in a trade mark fight that could change the way colour marks are protected and clarify aesthetic functionality

The rest of the Top 50       AMERICAS    ASIA    EUROPE AND AFRICA What do you think of the Top 10? Have your say by using the comment function at the top of the page, or join us on LinkedIn or Twitter (#MIP50)

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Stobbs stands accused of interfering with the administration of justice after Brandsmiths’ client was subjected to an interim injunction for unjustified threats
The firm, known for its prosecution expertise, discusses its plans following the appointment of a UK-based patent litigation head and two new partners
Ed White at Clarivate provides an exclusive insight into the innovation power clusters reshaping Europe and the Middle East’s IP landscape, and why quality is the new currency of invention
In the first in a new podcast series celebrating the tenth anniversary of IP Inclusive, we look back at the network’s origins and discuss its mission
Rebecca Schwarz at Haynes Boone shares how her team secured victory for biopharma client RedHill in a licensing dispute involving a developmental cancer drug
News of a breakaway firm launching in Germany and a spike in vaccine-related patent applications were also among the top talking points
A flurry of hiring activity among UK firms suggests they are confident of mounting a serious challenge at the UPC
With the submission deadline approaching, we sat down with our research team to provide top tips on how to make your firm stand out
EA, owner of video games including Madden and The Sims, will be sold to a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and a firm owned by Donald Trump’s son-in-law
New arrival marks Mewburn Ellis' second partner hire in ten days as firm looks to boost patent litigation and prosecution capabilities
Gift this article