Intellectual Property Licensing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: March 2024
NAICS 53311Revenue
$66.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
40,981
Businesses
5,300
Wages
$X.Xbn
Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry analysis
The Intellectual Property Licensing industry is involved in assigning rights to assets (patents, trademarks, brand names, and franchise agreements). Licensors own the rights to these assets and charge fees to other businesses for the usage rights, typically in royalties. This industry excludes franchise agreements allowing named contingent payments on purchasing products from a franchisor and tangible asset leasing. Benefits include more exposure, customer loyalty, and the capacity to charge a premium for a product without building a brand name from the ground up.
Trends and Insights
- Advertising expenditure continues to popularize name-brand goods. Consumers are drawn toward reputable brands, which allow licensors to generate more revenue through fees and royalties.
- Franchise licensing generates the bulk of revenue and continues to expand. Consumers interested in opening their own business look to franchisors to assist with operations.
- Many intellectual property licensors operate in other industries. For that reason, the Mid-Atlantic region generates the most revenue, despite having fewer companies. Delaware's tax laws and New York's customer hub elevate regional activity.
- Reputable name brands hold weight among consumers. Clients are more willing to pay extra to enter contracts with established licensors because it provides more opportunities for success.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $66.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Franchise business models have increased in popularity
- In 2019, franchises produced an estimated $787.5 billion in economic output. That figure has risen to an estimated $858.5 billion in 2023, highlighting the growing popularity of franchise business models.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The landscape of licensed Intellectual Property will diversify
- Data licensing is expected to grow significantly. Companies with valuable datasets like consumer behavior patterns, market research findings, or sensor data will have opportunities to generate new revenue streams by licensing access to this information.
Biggest companies in the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Walt Disney Co | 9,951.2 | 1,251.9 | 12.6 | |
Warner Media, Llc | 6,502.0 | 1,511.9 | 23.3 | |
Mcdonald’s Corporation | 2,264.5 | 338.6 | 15.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Franchise licensing , Trademark licensing and Patent licensing. Franchise licensing is the largest segment of the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US.
Trends and Insights
Franchise licensing becomes more common
- Franchise licensing involves franchising a product or brand name for use by a franchisee. The franchisee pays the franchisor various fees and royalties to use and operate under the trademark or brand name.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Information in the US
- Real Estate and Rental and Leasing in the US
- Performers & Creative Artists in the US
- Accommodation and Food Services in the US
International industries
- Law Firms in Canada
- Intellectual Property Leasing in Australia
- Intellectual Property Leasing in the UK
- Intellectual Property Leasing in Germany
- Intellectual Property Leasing in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry ascribe subordinate rights to assets like patents, trademarks, brand names and franchise agreements for a licensing fee, which is paid to the asset holder. Operators own the rights to the original assets but may not be the creators. Franchise agreements that permit the use of a name contingent on the purchase of products from a franchisor are also excluded from the industry, as are copyright revenue inflows.
What's included in this industry?
Franchise licensing Trademark licensingPatent licensingOil royalty leasingCompanies
Walt Disney CoWarner Media, LlcMcdonald’s CorporationPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYLICENSORLICENSEEIndustry Code
NAICS 53311 - Intellectual Property Licensing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Advertising expenditure continues to popularize name-brand goods. Consumers are drawn toward reputable brands, which allow licensors to generate more revenue through fees and...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Franchise licensing generates the bulk of revenue and continues to expand. Consumers interested in opening their own business look to franchisors to assist with operations.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Many intellectual property licensors operate in other industries. For that reason, the Mid-Atlantic region generates the most revenue, despite having fewer companies. Delawar...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Reputable name brands hold weight among consumers. Clients are more willing to pay extra to enter contracts with established licensors because it provides more opportunities ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
In December 2023, McDonald’s announced its plan to open 10,000 new restaurants by 2027. Of the new restaurants, 900 will be in the US.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Walt Disney Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Warner Media, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Mcdonald’s Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Walt Disney Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Warner Media, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Mcdonald’s Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Consumers are the final users of most licensed products. Consumer behavior, disposable income and spending dictate whether or not companies will continue to license their int...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit remains high despite economic downturns. Low wages and purchase costs significantly reduce expenses for licensors. Most expenses are legal fees, insurance, debt and ge...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States is $66.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in 2024?
There are 5,300 businesses in the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Intellectual Property Licensing market in United States are Walt Disney Co, Warner Media, Llc and Mcdonald’s Corporation
What does the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US in United States include?
Franchise licensing and Trademark licensing are part of the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Walt Disney Co.
How competitive is the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Intellectual Property Licensing in the US industry in United States.
