World Intellectual Property Day on April 26

World Intellectual Property Day will be observed on April 26 (Wednesday) across the globe including Pakistan with a variety of events and activities worldwide. It aims to increase people’s awareness and understanding of intellectual property (IP).

World Intellectual Property Day is sometimes referred as World IP Day. World Intellectual Property Day focuses on increasing people's awareness and understanding of all aspects of intellectual property. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) works together with various government agencies, non-government organizations, community groups and individuals to hold different events and activities to promote World Intellectual Property Day each year.

Activities and events may include (but are not exclusive to): Stage concerts or other public performances centredd around the World IP Day theme, with the performers delivering messages which encourage respect for creators and creativity.

Essay competitions for young people on themes relating to intellectual property, innovation, piracy, counterfeiting, and other similar issues.

Seminars or free lectures in universities to build awareness of intellectual property and its benefits among students, faculty and researchers. Exhibits in museums, art galleries, schools and other educational institutions, with presentations explaining the link between exhibitions, innovation and intellectual property.

Some local intellectual and copyright offices may have an open day on or around April 26 to promote World IP Day. Some educational institutions may choose World IP Day as a time to celebrate the works of a notable inventor, artist, designer, or entrepreneur, and link discussions with the important role of intellectual property. WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.

WIPO decided in 2000 to designate an annual World Intellectual Property Day to address the perceived gap between IP as a business/legal concept and its relevance to people’s lives. April 26 was chosen as the date upon which the convention establishing WIPO first entered into force in 1970.WIPO plays a key role in organizing World IP Day.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2023.