World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Establishment: WIPO was established in 1967 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to promoting the protection of intellectual property (IP) worldwide. – Purpose: To lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that fosters innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. – Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland. |
| Objectives | – Promote IP Protection: Encourage the protection of IP rights globally to stimulate innovation and creativity. – Facilitate International Cooperation: Serve as a global forum for IP services, policy, information, and cooperation among nations. – Support Economic Development: Assist developing countries in utilizing IP for economic, social, and cultural development. – Provide Global Services: Offer services for international applications for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. |
| Members as of December 2024 | – Composition: WIPO comprises 193 Member States, encompassing nearly all countries worldwide. – Recent Memberships: As of December 2024, no new members have been added since the previous year. |
| Reports/Indices | – World Intellectual Property Indicators: An annual survey analyzing global IP activity, including patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. – World Intellectual Property Report: A biennial publication exploring trends in innovation and IP, providing economic analysis and industry studies. – Global Innovation Index: Ranks countries annually based on their innovation capabilities and outcomes. – WIPO Technology Trends: Examines emerging technologies and their impact on IP systems. |
| Instruments | – Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883): Establishes international standards for industrial property protection. – Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886): Provides protection for authors’ rights over their literary and artistic works. – Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (1970): Facilitates the filing of patent applications internationally. – Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (1891) and the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement (1989): Enable international registration of trademarks. – Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (1925): Allows for international registration of industrial designs. – WIPO Copyright Treaty (1996): Addresses the protection of works and the rights of their authors in the digital environment. – WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (1996): Protects the rights of performers and producers of phonograms. – Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances (2012): Strengthens the rights of audiovisual performers. – Marrakesh Treaty (2013): Facilitates access to published works for persons who are blind or visually impaired. – WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (2024): Establishes disclosure requirements for patent applicants whose inventions are based on genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge. |
| Structure | – General Assembly: The main decision-making body, comprising all Member States, meets annually to set policies and approve budgets. – Coordination Committee: Assists in coordinating activities and preparing the draft budget. – International Bureau: The secretariat, headed by the Director-General, implements programs and provides administrative support. – Standing Committees: Address specific IP areas, such as patents, trademarks, and copyright. – WIPO Conference: Discusses matters of general interest and adopts amendments to WIPO treaties. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Program and Budget Committee: Oversees financial and administrative matters. – Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP): Focuses on integrating development considerations into WIPO’s work. – Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE): Provides guidance on IP enforcement issues. |
| Committees | – Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP): Discusses issues related to patent law development. – Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs, and Geographical Indications (SCT): Addresses legal development in these IP areas. – Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR): Deals with the evolution of international copyright law. |
| Initiatives | – WIPO GREEN: An online marketplace connecting providers and seekers of environmentally friendly technologies. – WIPO Re:Search: Facilitates the sharing of IP and expertise to accelerate drug development for neglected tropical diseases. – Accessible Books Consortium (ABC): Aims to increase the number of books available in accessible formats for visually impaired individuals. – WIPO Academy: Provides education and training programs in IP to enhance capacity building. – Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs): Offer innovators access to locally based, high-quality technology information and related services. – Inventor Assistance Program (IAP): Helps under-resourced inventors secure patent protection by linking them with pro bono legal assistance. – Patent Information Initiative for Medicines (Pat-INFORMED): Provides easy access to medicine patent information to the health community worldwide. – WIPO Judicial Institute: Coordinates and leads WIPO’s work with national and regional judiciaries, including capacity-building activities and resources for judges. |
