Intellectual Property

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

History, mandate, principal purposes: The World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO – was established on 14th July 1967 by the Stockholm Convention, entered into force in 1970, and today accounts 192 Member States. In 1974, it became one of the specialized Agencies of the UN. WIPO represents “the biggest forum for intellectual property services, policy and information”. Its current mission is the global promotion of use and protection of intellectual property rights, for the role they play in stimulating innovation and creativity. WIPO pursues these objectives through multiple activities that include:

• examination and international registration of patents, trademarks, industrial designs and Geographical indications, with the aim of facilitating inventors and firms in achieving protection in Countries member of the Organization;
• arbitration and conciliation services to solve disputes between privates; including disputes related to misuse of trademarks and other protected designations in the internet domain name;
• promotion of rules and common standards, in the form of treaties or non-binding recommendation, to harmonize Member Countries’ legislations on protection and procedures for recognition of intellectual property rights;
• technical assistance and capacity building to Developing Countries and Least Developed Countries for the adoption of policies stimulating innovation and creativity, the implementation of international Treaties on intellectual property, the improvement of services provided to private operators by Patent and Trademarks offices;
• The creation of databases, platform and computer networks for dissemination and exchange of information on patents, trademarks and other denominations for which protection is required

WIPO administers 26 Treaties in the field of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, designation of origin and copyright.

Italian participation: Italy is one of the major contributors of WIPO and one of the more relevant users of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid system (trademarks).

The modern concept of protection of Intellectual Property Rights was born in Italy. It was in fact in 1474 when the Republic of Venice approved the first bill in the world on the protection of patents.

Italy, therefore, supports in particular the update of the international regulatory framework, in order to meet the needs of industry and civil society; the technical assistance to Developing Countries and Least Developed Countries; the enhancement of the innovative potential of Small and Medium Enterprises; information and awareness activities on the benefits resulting from the respect of intellectual property rights; the promotion and protection of geographical indications.

Director General: Daren Tang is Director General since May 2020.

Web site: www.wipo.org

Working at WIPO: For information on career opportunities at WIPO, please visit the web page of the Organization Jobs at WIPO