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| Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization | |
|---|---|
| Title | Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization |
| Body | World Intellectual Property Organization |
| Incumbent | Daren Tang |
| Incumbentsince | 1 October 2020 |
| Residence | Geneva |
| Appointer | WIPO General Assembly |
| Termlength | 6 years (renewable) |
| Formation | 1967 |
| First | Gerhard Schricker |
Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization is the chief executive of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations system responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property across its member states. The office coordinates WIPO's programs, represents the Organization in multilateral fora such as the United Nations General Assembly, and directs technical assistance for patents, trademarks, copyright, and geographical indications. Holders engage with international negotiators from entities such as the World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and regional bodies including the European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Director General leads the World Intellectual Property Organization Secretariat, implements policies set by the WIPO General Assembly, and oversees operational units including the Patent Cooperation Treaty administration, the Madrid System for trademarks, and the Hague System for industrial designs. The office manages relations with specialized agencies such as the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and liaises with legal institutions like the International Court of Justice and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. The Director General articulates WIPO positions in negotiations on instruments such as the Berne Convention and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and directs technical cooperation with development partners including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors such as Japan and Switzerland.
The Director General is appointed by the WIPO General Assembly following recommendation by the WIPO Coordination Committee. The post carries a six-year term, renewable once, and is held by nationals such as Arpad Bogsch, Kamil Idris, Francis Gurry, and Daren Tang. Appointment involves inputs from regional groups including the Group of 77, the European Union, and the Africa Group. The incumbent's mandate aligns with WIPO's program and budget approved by the WIPO Assembly of Member States and is subject to oversight by the WIPO Coordination Committee and audit by bodies akin to the United Nations Board of Auditors.
Candidates for the post are nominated by WIPO member states and often include senior officials from agencies such as the European Patent Office, national intellectual property offices like the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the China National Intellectual Property Administration, and leaders from organizations including the World Trade Organization and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Elections are held during the WIPO General Assembly with voting procedures influenced by geopolitical blocs such as the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS, and the Organization of American States. Campaigns feature consultations with stakeholders including the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, and civil society groups like Electronic Frontier Foundation and Consumers International.
Notable officeholders include early directors associated with the establishment of WIPO, figures active during treaty negotiations, and recent incumbents involved in digital-era IP discussions: Arpad Bogsch, Dieter Brandt, Masatoshi Nakae, Kamil Idris, Francis Gurry, and Daren Tang. These individuals engaged with multilateral processes such as the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights negotiations, the WTO Ministerial Conference, and WIPO treaty initiatives on traditional knowledge and genetic resources.
The Director General has authority to propose WIPO's strategic plans, manage the Secretariat workforce drawn from diverse member states, and represent WIPO in high-level meetings with leaders from United States, China, India, European Commission, and regional organizations. Operational powers include administering WIPO-administered treaties such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty, supervising dispute resolution services like the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, and overseeing databases such as the Global Brand Database and PATENTSCOPE. The office negotiates cooperation agreements with institutions like the World Health Organization on access to medicines and with the Food and Agriculture Organization on plant variety protection.
The Director General maintains political and operational relations with WIPO member states, regional groups including the Pacific Islands Forum and Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and coordinates with the United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on capacity building. Interaction extends to national offices such as the Japanese Patent Office, European Patent Office, Korean Intellectual Property Office, and judicial bodies addressing IP enforcement, including national supreme courts and trademark offices. The Director General also participates in coordinated action with World Trade Organization dispute settlement deliberations and multilateral policy forums like the G20.
Officeholders have faced scrutiny over issues such as management of WIPO funds, staff governance, and transparency of treaty negotiations involving traditional knowledge and access to medicines. Critiques have come from non-governmental organizations including Médecins Sans Frontières, academics from institutions like Harvard University and University of Cambridge, and member states debating reforms proposed at WIPO Assemblies. Disputes have involved election campaigns, alleged politicization of appointments, and responses to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic where coordination with World Health Organization and calls for IP flexibilities under TRIPS Agreement prompted debate among stakeholders including the Developing Countries Group and private sector actors like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.