Intellectual Property Owners Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (IPO)'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY AND ENFORCEABLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND PREDICTABLE LEGAL SYSTEMS FOR ALL INDUSTRIES AND TECHNOLOGIES.
- Income
- $5.8 million
- Spending
- $5.7 million
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $550,014, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS: IPO PROVIDES SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES EACH YEAR THAT BRING TOGETHER EXPERTS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD TO DISCUSS TRENDS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN IP LAW. IN 2024, IPO HELD THREE IN-PERSON EVENTS, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL MEETING, IPOWNERS SPRING SUMMIT CONFERENCE, AND EUROPEAN PRACTICE COMMITTEE CONFERENCE, WITH A TOTAL OF 1,492 ATTENDEES. IN ADDITION TO THE IN-PERSON MEETINGS, 25 WEBINARS WITH A TOTAL OF 3,760 REGISTRANTS WERE ALSO HELD. THE WEBINARS ARE A ONE-HOUR SERIES ON CURRENT TOPICS IN IP HOSTED BY IPO.
- MEMBERSHIP: MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE: SUPPORTING MEMBER INTERESTS RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES; ANALYZING CURRENT IP ISSUES; INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. THE MEMBERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION INCLUDES HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES, LAW FIRMS, UNIVERSITIES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. MORE THAN 12,800 ATTORNEYS, INVENTORS, AUTHORS, AND EXECUTIVES PARTICIPATE IN IPO ACTIVITIES WORLDWIDE.
- GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - PROMOTING THE INTERESTS OF THE OWNER: IPO ADVOCATES EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FOR PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND TRADE SECRETS, AND ALSO URGES LAWS THAT PROVIDE REASONABLE CERTAINTY TO AVOID UNDUE LITIGATION. IPO POSITIONS ARE COMMUNICATED TO CONGRESS, THE U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE, THE U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE AND OTHER AGENCIES. IPO SUPPORTS REFORMS THAT ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF PATENTS GRANTED AND REDUCE THE UNCERTAINTY AND INCREASING COSTS OF LITIGATION. IPO WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO END THE DIVERSION OF USER FEES AWAY FROM THE USPTO TOWARDS UNRELATED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.