The World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) dedicated to promoting and protecting intellectual property (IP) worldwide. It was established in 1967 and has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. WIPO serves as a global forum for cooperation, policy development, and the harmonization of intellectual property laws and regulations among its member states. Its main objectives include …
Encouraging creativity and innovation: WIPO seeks to foster an environment that promotes creativity and the development of new ideas, inventions, and artistic expressions. It recognizes the importance of intellectual property as a catalyst for economic, social, and cultural progress.
Facilitating the international protection of intellectual property: WIPO administers a range of international treaties and provides services for the registration, management, and protection of intellectual property rights. This includes patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, and other related rights.
Assisting developing countries: WIPO provides technical assistance, capacity building, and training programs to help developing countries enhance their intellectual property systems and effectively utilize IP for economic development.
Promoting IP-related policies and norms: WIPO conducts research, analysis, and policy development on various intellectual property-related issues. It facilitates discussions among member states, stakeholders, and experts to establish international norms and best practices in the field of intellectual property.
WIPO manages various international treaties, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs, and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, among others. Its activities also encompass providing intellectual property-related data and statistics, conducting research and analysis on IP topics, and promoting public awareness and understanding of intellectual property rights and their role in society.