World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26 of each year. The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 in order to raise awareness about how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact our daily lives and to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe. This day was chosen as the date for World Intellectual Property Day because it was also the date on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force in 1970.
Following a statement made at the Assembly of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in September 1998, the Director General of the National Algerian Institute for Industrial Property (INAPI) proposed on 7 April 1999 the institutionalization of an international day for intellectual property, with the aim of –
- Setting up a framework for broader mobilization and awareness,
- Opening up access to the promotional aspect of innovation and
- Recognizing the achievements of promoters of intellectual property throughout the world.
Also, on August 9, 1999, the Chinese delegation to the WIPO proposed the adoption of the World Intellectual Property Day in order to further promote the awareness about the importance of Intellectual Property protection. Hence, in October 1999, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) approved the idea of declaring a particular day as a World Intellectual Property Day.
The theme for the World Intellectual Property Day 2016 was “Digital Creativity- Culture Reimagined”. This event celebrated digital creativity across the world and to bring awareness about the importance of creators and innovators in the cultural and technological progress, as a consequence of digital technology.
The proposed theme for the celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day, 2017 is “Innovation – Improving Lives” to celebrate the creative force and explore how some of the world’s most extraordinary innovations have improved our lives; and how new ideas are helping tackle shared global challenges, such as climate change, health, poverty and the need to feed an ever – expanding population.