World Intellectual Property Organization: WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the central meeting place for all issues pertaining to IP across the world. Here at the United Nations, there are 193 member nations and operate as a self-sustaining institution.

WIPO goal is to be at the forefront of creating a global IP system that is both fair and efficient, fostering innovation and creativity for the sake of all. The WIPO Convention from 1967 details our organization's mandate, governing structures, and procedures.

Brief History of WIPO

WIPO is the successor of BIRPI. BIRPI was founded in 1893. United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIRPI in French) is the organisation that came before WIPO. It was formed by merging the secretariats established to administer the Paris and Berne Conventions. The headquarters of the organisation and its seven employees are in Bern, Switzerland. A milestone in the construction of BIRPI: the laying of the cornerstone The cornerstone of the new BIRPI headquarters is being laid.

In 1970, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) replaces the Bureau of International Registration of Patents and Designs. Upon the entry into effect of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), BIRPI morphs into WIPO. The World Intellectual Property Agency (WIPO) was recently founded in Geneva, Switzerland as an intergovernmental organisation governed by its member states. In 1974, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) enters the United Nations, as of today, WIPO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), making it part of the larger UN family of organisations. Participation in the UN's specialised agencies is voluntary but open to all UN members. At present, Daren Tang is the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The number of countries represented by WIPO members is at 193. WIPO has 190 Member States from the United Nations, plus the Holy See, Niue, and the Cook Islands. Countries such as Kosovo, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and South Sudan are not members and are not widely recognised by the international community.

Objectives of WIPO

Mission Statement of WIPO Organization is for Economic Co-operation and Development (WIPO)

• First, WIPO works to ensure administrative cooperation among the intellectual property Unions established by the treaties that WIPO administers. Secondly, WIPO works to promote the protection and respect for intellectual property around the world through cooperation among States; and, where appropriate, in collaboration with other international organisations.

• Make IP compatible with the economic and social conditions it supports by adapting its language.

• The goal is to strengthen the IP system's ability to support the country's economic goals, development priorities, and available resources.

The Significance of WIPO

Major significance is −

• WIPO's efforts to safeguard the originality of works are thorough and efficient.

• WIPO's agenda focuses on five overarching objectives:

  • A widespread culture of intellectual property has to be encouraged.

  • Incorporating IP into national development plans and programmes

  • In order to provide uniform regulations for intellectual property on a global scale (partially defined as promoting laws forbidding the circumvention of technological restrictions).

  • To provide superior support for IP systems across the world

  • The goal is to improve the effectiveness of WIPO's administration and services.

Functions of WIPO

Major functions of WIPO are −

• Administering various international IP agreements, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks.

• Providing technical assistance and training to member countries to help them improve their IP systems.

• Facilitating cooperation among member countries on IP-related issues.

• Providing a forum for member countries to negotiate new IP agreements and to discuss IP-related policy issues.

• Carrying out research and providing information on IP-related topics to member countries and the public.

Membership to WIPO

In addition to states that are members of the Unions, membership in WIPO is open to any state that meets one of the following criteria −

• It is a member of the United Nations, any of the specialised agencies brought into relationship with the United Nations, or the International Atomic Energy Agency.

• It is a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice.

• It has been invited by the General Assembly of WIPO to become a party to the Convention on the Law of Membership in WIPO does not impose any duties with respect to any other treaties managed by WIPO.

• WIPO membership is attained by the deposit of an instrument of accession to the WIPO Convention with the Director General of WIPO.

Conclusion

In order to achieve its goals and carry out its duties, the Organization is afforded the same legal protections as other international organisations and their representatives.

FAQs

Q1. Which countries are the members of WIPO?

Ans. The number of countries represented by WIPO members is at 193. WIPO has 190 Member States from the United Nations, plus the Holy See, Niue, and the Cook Islands. Countries such as Kosovo, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and South Sudan are not members and are not widely recognised by the international community.

Q2. What is the main function of WIPO?

Ans. For the purpose of resolving conflicts between different intellectual property protection agreements, the United Nations Organization founded the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The World Intellectual Property Organization's primary focus is on establishing a fair and accessible worldwide system of intellectual property that encourages creativity, new ideas, and economic growth while protecting the public interest.

Q3. Is WIPO the agency of UN?

Ans. Yes, WIPO is an agency of the UN.