In today’s rapidly evolving world, intellectual property (IP) plays a crucial role in fostering creativity, innovation, and technological progress. One organization that stands at the forefront of global IP protection is the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)1. As we approach World Intellectual Property Day 2025, with the theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, it’s essential to explore what WIPO is, how it was formed, and its current efforts in promoting IP, especially within the music industry.
What is WIPO?
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting and protecting intellectual property rights worldwide. With its mission “to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all,” WIPO plays a vital role in ensuring that IP systems are efficient, transparent, and equitable across countries.
WIPO facilitates international cooperation in IP protection and administers several global treaties that help harmonize IP laws worldwide. Some of the key systems it manages include:
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)2: Simplifies the process for filing patents internationally.
- Madrid System for Trademarks3: Provides a convenient and cost-effective way to register trademarks in multiple countries.
- Hague System for Industrial Designs: Offers a streamlined process for registering industrial designs across different nations.
Apart from these, WIPO also helps resolve IP disputes through arbitration and mediation, provides valuable services for filing international patents and trademarks, and engages in capacity-building, research, and public awareness initiatives in the IP domain.
How Was WIPO Formed?
Origins of WIPO
The origins of WIPO can be traced back to two significant international treaties: the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886). These were the first agreements aimed at establishing global standards for IP protection. To administer these treaties, the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIRPI) was established in Switzerland.
The Birth of WIPO
In 1967, the WIPO Convention was signed in Stockholm, marking the formal creation of WIPO. This was done to replace BIRPI and expand its functions. WIPO became fully operational as an intergovernmental organization in 1970, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. By 1974, WIPO was recognized as a specialized agency of the United Nations, linking it to the broader UN system while focusing specifically on IP.
WIPO Today
As of now, WIPO has 193 member states, almost all UN countries, making it a truly global entity. Its work is indispensable in shaping the global IP landscape, making it easier for creators and innovators to protect and profit from their intellectual property across borders.
What is World Intellectual Property Day?
World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26 every year to commemorate the day the WIPO Convention entered into force in 1970. The goal of World IP Day is to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property in encouraging creativity and innovation, thereby benefiting society at large.
Each year, WIPO celebrates a different theme that highlights the role of IP in specific industries. For 2025, the theme is “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP.” This theme emphasizes how music, as a universal form of creative expression, transcends borders and connects people across the globe. Music has the power to unite, inspire action, stir emotions, and fuel change, and IP is vital in ensuring that creators are recognized and rewarded for their work.
WIPO’s Role in the Music Industry
WIPO has a unique role to play in supporting the global music industry. As the agency dedicated to fostering creativity, WIPO works closely with its member states, partners, and creators to establish a legal and policy environment that nurtures the music sector.
One of WIPO’s most significant contributions to the music industry is its collaboration with the Music Rights Awareness Foundation (MRAF) to launch the Creators Learn Intellectual Property (CLIP)4 platform. This digital platform, launched in November 2023, is designed to empower musicians and other creators with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage their intellectual property rights effectively. By educating creators on how to protect their work and receive fair compensation, WIPO ensures that they can continue to innovate and share their creations with the world.
The CLIP Platform
The Creators Learn Intellectual Property (CLIP) platform is a free, user-friendly online resource that provides valuable information on managing IP rights and understanding the best practices for rights management. Through this platform, musicians and other creators can learn how to safeguard their intellectual property, ensuring they are properly compensated for their work and that their creative contributions are recognized globally.
WIPO’s efforts in promoting IP awareness in the music industry are just one example of how it is helping creators thrive in the digital age. By offering tools, resources, and legal frameworks that support the music industry, WIPO helps to ensure that creators continue to receive the recognition and rewards they deserve.
What RVR Associates, IP Attorneys and Advocates are doing on World IP Day, 2025?
On the occasion of World IP Day, RVR Associates, IP Attorneys & Advocates, in collaboration with the International Arbitration and Mediation Counsel (IAMC), is committed to encouraging the music ecosystem to protect its intellectual property rights. To this end, RVR Associates is hosting a panel discussion on the topic “Harmony of Rights: IP, Music, and Collaborative Frameworks,” featuring esteemed panelists who will provide valuable insights. As we approach World Intellectual Property Day 2025, with the theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” it is crucial to recognize the importance of intellectual property in safeguarding creativity and fostering innovation, particularly within the music industry.
To commemorate this day, RVR Associates and IAMC Hyderabad are organizing a special panel discussion on April 26, 2025, at 4:30 PM at IAMC Hyderabad. The event will bring together musicians, legal experts, and IP professionals to explore the intersection of intellectual property and music, with a focus on how creators can protect their works in today’s increasingly digital world.
Conclusion
As we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2025 with the theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” it is clear that WIPO plays a critical role in advancing the protection and understanding of intellectual property worldwide. From its early roots in international treaties to its current efforts in supporting creators, especially musicians, WIPO remains a vital organization in fostering a global environment where innovation and creativity can flourish.
As music continues to shape our global culture, WIPO’s work ensures that creators are empowered to protect and benefit from their work, allowing the universal language of music to keep resonating across borders.
Register now to secure your spot (only 50 slots available) for the panel discussion on Topic “Harmony of Rights: IP, Music, and Collaborative Frameworks” on 26th April 2025.
Link for Registration: https://forms.gle/LRn5BPcY9iX4aCebA
References:
- https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ipday
- https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/
- https://www.wipo.int/en/web/madrid-system
- https://goclip.org/en/
Author Name
By Rishita Pandey