Every year on April 26, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated to raise awareness of how patents, copyrights, trademarks and designs affect people’s daily lives, and to honor innovators and creators who have made a significant contribution to the development of society around the world. This date was chosen because it coincides with the entry into force of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 1970. World Intellectual Property Day is an ideal opportunity to raise public awareness and understanding of intellectual property issues.
Intellectual property includes rights to intellectual activities, such as:
- rights to works of literature, artistic works and scientific works;
- rights to artistic activity, sound recording, rights to television and radio broadcasts;
- rights to any inventions;
- rights to utility models;
- rights to industrial designs;
- right to trademarks
All of these are products of intellectual labor, cultural and scientific achievements of a generation that needs to be protected.
History of World Intellectual Property Day
In September 1998, the director of the National Algerian Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) made a statement proposing to institutionalize an international intellectual property day on April 7, 1999, in order to create a framework for broader mobilization and awareness of the innovations and achievements of intellectual property creators around the world. In August 1999, the Chinese delegation to WIPO proposed to declare April 26 as “World Intellectual Property Day”, which was supported by the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization in October of the same year. The main purpose of World Intellectual Property Day is to raise awareness and access to the promotional aspect of the innovations and achievements of intellectual property creators around the world.
WIPO plays an important role in the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day. The events, activities and campaigns dedicated to this day are aimed at raising public awareness of the concept of intellectual property and demonstrating how the intellectual property system contributes to the development of not only music, art and entertainment, but also all products and technological innovations that help shape the world.
The theme of World Intellectual Property Day in 2023
The theme of World Intellectual Property Day for 2023 focuses on “women and intellectual property” to celebrate the achievements of women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs around the world who have made significant contributions through their pioneering work.
Since women make up almost half of the world’s population (49.58%), they are an important source of talent that, unfortunately, often goes unnoticed and underutilized.
We sincerely congratulate everyone involved in the creation of an intellectual product and are happy to help protect your creative works from the legal side. Let’s combine our joint efforts for a great result!
