WIPO: what is the World Intellectual Property Organization and what does it do?
Contents
The value of intellectual property has become comparable to material assets. Authors of books, music, films, designers, engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs create products that shape not only the culture, but also the economy of entire countries. However, the protection of such results of labor requires special rules and international cooperation. This is why WIPO plays a crucial role — an organization that coordinates the efforts of states to protect and regulate intellectual property rights.
History of the creation and development of WIPO
The organization was created in 1967 on the basis of several international agreements that had existed since the end of the 19th century, including the Paris and Berne Conventions. At first, its task was to unite countries to develop common rules in the field of copyright and patenting. In the 1970s, WIPO received the status of a specialized agency of the UN, which significantly strengthened its position in global politics and economics. Today, WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization has more than 190 member states and is a key player in matters of legal protection of innovations, brands and cultural works.
WIPO full name
- WIPO full form — World Intellectual Property Organization in English;
- OMPI WIPO — Organisation Mondiale de la Propriété Intellectuelle in French.
The use of two options is due to the fact that French and English are the official languages of international law and diplomacy. Thus, both «WIPO» and «OMPI WIPO» refer to the same organization, but in different languages.
Where the organization is located: WIPO headquarters
The main office of the organization is located in Geneva, Switzerland. This is where WIPO headquarters is located, where key meetings, conferences and expert meetings are held. Geneva was not chosen by chance — this city is an international center of diplomacy and the location of many UN agencies. In addition, the headquarters concentrates resources for processing applications under the international patent, trademark and industrial design registration systems.
WIPO's main areas of activity
The organization deals with the following areas:
- Copyright.
- Trademarks.
- Patents.
- Industrial designs.
- International registration systems.
WIPO oversees the development and coordination of international treaties that are responsible for monitoring the protection of works of literature, music, cinema, painting and other forms of art. Thanks to this, authors receive fair payment for their work and are protected from the risk of intellectual property theft.
Trademarks
Another area of the organization's work is the registration and protection of trademarks. Thus, companies using WIPO services can register their brand in several countries at once. This speeds up entry into new markets.
Patents
The WIPO patent system allows inventors and developers to submit their work for public review in different countries and protects against theft of copyright ideas. This process is regulated by the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which allows you to file just one application for your own invention and have it distributed to all participating countries at once. For example, a startup that has developed a new technology can immediately claim its rights in dozens of countries, saving significant resources.
Industrial designs
The organization also deals with the protection of industrial designs — product design, packaging, architectural solutions. For example, a clothing manufacturer planning to enter the Asian and European markets files an application through WIPO and receives protection in several jurisdictions at once.
The role of WIPO in the global economy
Intellectual property today has become not only a legal category, but also a strategic resource. Strong brands, unique technologies and cultural products shape the competitiveness of countries on the global stage. WIPO ensures transparent rules of the game, reduces conflicts between companies and helps stimulate innovation. For example, thanks to effective registration systems, small and medium-sized enterprises are able to protect their developments on an equal basis with international corporations.
The use of two names emphasizes the international nature of the organization and its desire for equal interaction with different legal and cultural systems. Today, the organization faces new challenges. Digitalization, the Internet, artificial intelligence and blockchain create unique opportunities, but also give rise to risks for the protection of rights. Piracy, illegal copying and distribution of content have become a global problem.
Digital services and innovations
WIPO is actively implementing digital services: online databases for searching for registered objects, electronic filing of applications and platforms for dispute resolution. For example, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center platform allows you to settle domain disputes on the Internet, which is especially important for companies whose brands are actively used in the online environment. In addition, the organization studies the impact of artificial intelligence on copyright and considers the possibility of registering works created using AI.
The main mission of the existence of the world intellectual property organization
WIPO is not just an international structure, but an important tool for maintaining a balance of interests of authors, business and society. Thanks to the activities of the organization, creators and companies receive protection for their ideas and technologies, and states receive incentives for innovative development. The foundations of the future global intellectual property economy are being developed in Geneva, the headquarters where rules and laws are developed.
Thus, the WIPO world intellectual property organization fulfills a key mission: it helps the world respect the work of creators and use the intellectual resources of civilization for the benefit of progress.