World intellectual property day

Each year, on 26 April, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) celebrates 'World Intellectual Property Day to discuss the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity.

This year, World Intellectual Property Day 2023’s theme focuses on IP and Youth innovating for a Better Future.

What is Intellectual Property?
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; symbols, names, and images used in commerce.

IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright, and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.

About World IP Day
In 2000, WIPO's member states designated April 26 – the day on which the WIPO Convention came into force in 1970 – as World IP Day to increase general understanding of IP.

Since then, World IP Day has offered a unique opportunity each year to join with others around the globe to consider how IP contributes to the flourishing of music and the arts and to driving the technological innovation that helps shape our world.

Suyog Dhakal