ICC works to promote a balanced and sustainable system for the protection of intellectual property. It believes that intellectual property protection encourages innovation and the development of knowledge-based industries, stimulates international trade, and creates a favorable climate for foreign direct investment and technology transfer.

ICC's intellectual propery policy is formulated by its Commission on Intellectual Property, which gathers over 300 business executives and private practitioners from 50 countries. The commission identifies key intellectual property issues facing the international business community and contributes the business voice to debates to resolve these. It also works to raise awareness of intellectual property by initiatives such as its annual Roadmap on Current and Emerging IP Issues for Business and other publications.

ICC works closely with intergovernmental organizations involved in intellectual property policy-making, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).