World Intellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property Day History

World Intellectual Property Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property and its role in encouraging innovation and creativity. Intellectual property consists of inventions or creations. They can range from literary and artistic works to names or images. They are protected by laws such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks. These allow the original creators to earn recognition or financial benefit from their inventions and creations. This day hopes to encourage artists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and all other creatives to pursue their ideas with the knowledge that their work will be legally protected.

World Intellectual Property Day was established in 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization. It is observed annually on April 26th.

Facts about World Intellectual Property Day

• The theme for World Intellectual Property Day in 2025 was Tunning in with the music of innovation and creativity. In 2024 the theme was IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity.
  In 2023, the theme was Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.
• Intellectual property holds immense economic value. In fact, in many global companies, the value of IP assets greatly exceeds the value of their physical assets.
• The duration of IP rights can vary dependent on the type. Copyrights generally last for the lifetime of the creator plus 70 years, while patents typically last for 20 years from the date of filing. Trademarks can last indefinitely, provided they are continually used and defended.
• According to the Global Innovation Policy Center, IP-intensive industries contribute more than $7.7 trillion to the total collective U.S. output in 2022.
• There are several types of laws that protect intellectual property. These laws are commonly divided into patents, copyright, and trademarks.

In the News and Trending in the US for World Intellectual Property Day

Top things to do in the US for this observance

• Explore event ideas and activities for World Intellectual Property Day. The World Intellectual Property Organization offers workshops and programs for participants.
• Learn more about how intellectual property can help a business. Intellectual property can help protect products and services, increase brand visibility, and help eliminate risks to valuable information.
• Watch the World IP Day 2023 message if you haven't seen it.