The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion of the global intellectual property system.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property system that encourages creativity and facilitates the transfer of technology.
WIPO was established in 1967 with the aim of providing a forum for intellectual property policy discussion and cooperation. WIPO currently has 187 member states, and its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
WIPO’s main functions are to administer international treaties, provide policy advice to member states, and cooperate with other international organizations in the field of intellectual property.
One of WIPO’s most important functions is administering international treaties. WIPO currently administers 26 multilateral treaties in the areas of copyright, trademarks, patents, and design protection. These treaties establish international norms and standards that member states agree to uphold.
WIPO also provides policy advice to member states on intellectual property issues. WIPO’s policy work is guided by the principles of the WIPO Development Agenda, which was adopted by WIPO member states in 2007.
The WIPO Development Agenda sets out a vision for a balanced and effective intellectual property system that serves the interests of all countries, particularly developing countries.
WIPO also cooperates with other international organizations on intellectual property issues. WIPO has formal agreements with a number of organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
WIPO’s work in the field of intellectual property contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
The SDGs are a set of 17 goals that all UN member states have committed to achieving by 2030.
WIPO’s work on intellectual property supports Goal 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure, as well as Goal 17 on partnerships for the goals.