WIPO

WIPO
source
Name	World Intellectual Property Organization
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Leader title	Director-General
Leader name	Daren Tang
Parent organization	United Nations

WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote the use and protection of intellectual property worldwide, working closely with organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the International Telecommunication Union. The organization was established in 1967 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with Daren Tang serving as its current Director-General, who has previously worked with the Singaporean Government and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. Francis Gurry, the previous Director-General, played a significant role in shaping the organization's direction, particularly in relation to the Madrid System and the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The organization has 193 member states, including China, United States, European Union, India, and Japan, and works closely with other international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

History

The concept of an international organization dedicated to intellectual property dates back to the late 19th century, with the establishment of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property in 1883 and the Berne Convention in 1886, which were both administered by the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIRPI). In 1967, BIRPI merged with the United Nations to form the World Intellectual Property Organization, with the aim of promoting the use and protection of intellectual property worldwide, working closely with organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Day and the International Patent Institute. The organization's early years were marked by significant developments, including the adoption of the Patent Cooperation Treaty in 1970, which was signed by countries such as Australia, Canada, and Germany. The Treaty of Nice and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) also played a crucial role in shaping the organization's mandate, with the support of organizations such as the European Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Structure and governance

The organization is headed by a Director-General, who is appointed by the United Nations General Assembly for a six-year term, and is assisted by a Deputy Director-General, who has previously worked with organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The organization has a Secretariat, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations, and is composed of various departments, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty Department, the Madrid System Department, and the Global Intellectual Property Infrastructure Department, which work closely with organizations such as the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the Japan Patent Office. The organization also has a number of external offices, including the WIPO Academy, which provides training and education on intellectual property, and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which provides dispute resolution services, with the support of organizations such as the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Trade Center Association.

Functions and activities

The organization's main functions include promoting the use and protection of intellectual property, providing technical assistance to member states, and administering various international treaties and conventions, such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Berne Convention, which are supported by organizations such as the World Customs Organization and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. The organization also provides a range of services, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid System, which allow applicants to file international patent and trademark applications, with the support of organizations such as the European Patent Convention and the Patent Law Treaty. Additionally, the organization provides training and education on intellectual property through the WIPO Academy, which has partnerships with organizations such as the Harvard University and the University of Oxford, and provides dispute resolution services through the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which has worked with organizations such as the International Centre for Dispute Resolution and the London Court of International Arbitration.

Treaties and conventions

The organization administers a number of international treaties and conventions, including the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and the Madrid System, which have been signed by countries such as France, United Kingdom, Russia, and Brazil. The organization also provides a range of services related to these treaties, including the International Patent System and the International Trademark System, which are supported by organizations such as the European Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The organization has also developed a number of new treaties and conventions, including the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, which have been signed by countries such as Canada, Australia, and Japan, and have the support of organizations such as the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the Motion Picture Association of America.

Criticisms and controversies

The organization has faced a number of criticisms and controversies over the years, including concerns about the impact of intellectual property protection on public health and access to knowledge, with organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and the Electronic Frontier Foundation raising concerns about the organization's policies. The organization has also faced criticism for its handling of disputes related to intellectual property, with some arguing that the organization's dispute resolution services are biased towards large corporations, such as Microsoft and Google, and against smaller entities, such as startups and individual inventors. Additionally, the organization has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability, with some arguing that the organization's decision-making processes are not sufficiently open and inclusive, and that the organization needs to work more closely with organizations such as the Transparency International and the Open Society Foundations. Despite these criticisms, the organization remains a key player in the global intellectual property landscape, working closely with organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the International Telecommunication Union to promote the use and protection of intellectual property worldwide. Category:Intellectual property organizations