According to the most recent OECD data, as of 2009 the United States ranked 24 out of 38 countries (including 32 OECD members plus Brazil, China, India, Russia, Singapore, and South Africa) in the value of tax incentives provided per dollar of R&D. Because the U.S. research credit expired December 31, 2011, the U.S. incentive provided for R&D is now even lower than indicated by the OECD ranking.
Moreover, according to 2011 OECD data, the combined federal and average state statutory corporate tax rate in the United States (39.2 percent) is second highest among OECD countries, and more than 14 percentage points greater than the average for the other countries (25.1 percent). Therefore, royalty and license income earned from U.S.-held IP is taxed at a 50 percent higher rate than IP held in the average OECD country. The disparity in taxation of IP is even greater when compared with countries with patent box regimes, where qualified IP typically is taxed at rates between 5 and 15 percent.
The time appears to be closer. What do you think? The article also has a useful chart comparing patent box legislation in Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Spain and the U.K.