Every April 26, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) celebrates the World Intellectual Property Day, which has the aim to raise awareness of the role that the intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity.
The first World IP Day campaign was rolled out in 2001. The campaign offers a unique opportunity every year to join with others around the globe to celebrate the world’s inventors and creators and to reflect on the many ways IP contribute to the enhancement and technological innovation.
The World Intellectual Property Day 2022 theme is “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future” and celebrates youth-led innovation and creativity. Young people have the huge potential to find new and better solutions that support the transition to a sustainable future.
There are around 1.8 billion young people (aged 24) in the world today. Ninety percent of them live in developing countries. Today’s youth are digital natives: they grew up in a connected world with mobile phones and the internet, where the lines the physical and digital world is blurred. This has shaped a generation that is arguably the most entrepreneurial, innovative and creative yet, and is already reshaping approaches and driving action for innovation and change.
World Intellectual Property Day 2022 is an opportunity for young people to find out how IP rights can support their goals, help transform their ideas into reality, generate income, create jobs and make a positive impact on the world around them. With IP rights, young people have access to some of the key tools they need to advance their ambitions.
Throughout the campaign, young people will be able to gain a better understanding of how the tools of the IP system – trademarks, design rights, copyright, patents, geographical indications, trade secrets, etc. – can support their ambitions to build a better future. They can also take a closer look at WIPO’s role in supporting national and regional efforts to create a legal and policy environment for young inventors, creators and entrepreneurs to thrive.
On the official World Intellectual Property Day website, it can be found events calendar and information on how to use various intellectual property rights.