World Intellectual Property Day 2024 Celebrates on 26th April (GS Paper 4, Ethics)
Context
- World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26th by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
- This day is dedicated to promoting the role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating innovation and creativity.
World Intellectual Property Day- Theme for 2024
- The official theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2024 is ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity‘.
- The theme highlights the importance of IP in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a better future for all.
Significance of the World Intellectual Property Day
Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day holds great significance as it:
- Raises awareness about the need for a balanced approach to IP protection, considering the rights of creators and the public interest.
- Provides an opportunity to connect inventors, entrepreneurs, IP offices, and other stakeholders to explore and promote IP solutions that contribute to economic development and social well-being.
- Highlights the role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and creativity, which are essential for progress and sustainable development.
History and Origins of World Intellectual Property Day
- The origins of WIPO can be traced back to 1883 when the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was signed.
- This convention established IP protections for inventions, trademarks, and industrial designs.
- In 1970, the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force, formally creating WIPO. WIPO became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1974.
WIPO’s Role
- WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to promote the protection and advancement of intellectual property worldwide.
- It provides a framework for cooperation among member states in areas such as:
- Intellectual property law
- Registration of intellectual property
- Protection of intellectual property rights
- WIPO also offers various services and resources to promote IP awareness and the benefits of IP protection, including registration, dispute resolution, and the development of uniform standards and infrastructure.
Conclusion
- On World Intellectual Property Day, various events and activities are organized to celebrate the role of IP in driving innovation, creativity, and sustainable development.
- It is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of inventors, creators, and innovators, and to encourage continued progress in the field of intellectual property.
