World Intellectual Property Day | History, Facts

 World Intellectual Property Day

Intellectual Property(Getty)

Every year on April 26th, World Intellectual Property Day is commemorated with the aim of promoting awareness of the essential role played by intellectual property (IP) rights in encouraging creativity and innovation. The event was established in 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which selects a unique theme each year.

Although the theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2023 has yet to be revealed, previous themes have included "Innovate for a Green Future" (2021), "Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity" (2018), and "Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined" (2016).

The day is celebrated through a range of events and activities such as workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and competitions that aim to enhance awareness and comprehension of IP rights and their critical role in driving innovation and economic development.

World Intellectual Property Day History

Every year on April 26, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated to increase awareness about the role of intellectual property (IP) in encouraging innovation and creativity. The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 and has been commemorated annually since then.

The selection of April 26 as the date for the event was due to its significance as the anniversary of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization. Signed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1967, the convention aimed to establish a global forum for intellectual property cooperation and promote the protection of intellectual property rights worldwide.

World Intellectual Property Day has focused on a different theme each year, highlighting diverse aspects of intellectual property and its impact on various fields, such as music, film, technology, and medicine. These themes are chosen by WIPO to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property in addressing global challenges and promoting economic growth.

Past themes of World Intellectual Property Day include "Innovation - Improving Lives" (2020), "Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity" (2018), and "Innovation – Linking the World" (2017).

Today, World Intellectual Property Day is observed in countries worldwide through various events, seminars, and campaigns aimed at increasing awareness about the significance of intellectual property and its impact on society.

Intellectual property rights

Intellectual property (IP) rights are legal rights that protect creations of the human mind. These creations can include inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.

Intellectual Property(Getty)

There are several types of intellectual property rights, including:

Patents: 

Grants exclusive rights to inventors for a certain period of time to prevent others from making, using, or selling their invention.

Copyrights: 

Provides legal protection for the original expression of ideas, such as books, music, software, and movies.

Trademarks: 

Protects brand names, logos, and other distinctive signs that identify goods or services in the marketplace.

Trade secrets: 

Refers to confidential information that provides a competitive advantage and is not known by the public.

Industrial design rights: 

Protects the aesthetic and visual aspects of a product, such as its shape, pattern, or color.

These IP rights are designed to encourage innovation and creativity by providing legal protections to those who create new and valuable ideas, products, or services. The legal framework for IP rights varies by country and is typically governed by national laws and international agreements.