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Summary
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Website: http://www.wipo.int/
Related Bodies and Agencies
Aim & Objectives
WIPO 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.
Core Values
- rewarding creativity
- innovation
- economic development
- the public interest
Activities
The Core Tasks of WIPO are (further details at Core Tasks , at WIPO website):
- Developing international IP laws and standards: WIPO administers 24 international treaties (16 on industrial property; 7 on copyright; as well as the convention establishing WIPO). See: WIPO-Administered Treaties. One of these is the Berne Convention (Actor Atlas link).
- Delivering global IP protection services:
- WIPO provides fee-based services, based on international agreements, which enable users in member countries to file international applications for patents (PCT), and international registrations for trademarks (Madrid system), designs (Hague system), and appellations of origin (Lisbon system).
- WIPO administers four IP classification systems, which organize the mass of information concerning inventions, trademarks and industrial designs into indexed, manageable structures for easy retrieval.
- WIPO’s Arbitration and Mediation Center offers dispute resolution services to businesses and individuals, including in the area of Internet domain names.
- Encouraging the use of IP for economic development: WIPO conducts a range of programs aimed at increasing the effective use of the IP system by developing countries to promote economic, social and cultural development. See Intellectual Property for Development.
- Promoting a better understanding of IP
- Providing a forum for debate
Resources
Resources range from e-bookshop to IP statistics (see the WIPO website).
WIPO Lex is a one-stop search facility for national laws and treaties on intellectual property (IP) of WIPO, WTO and UN Members. It also features related information which elaborates, analyzes and interprets these laws and treaties. It provides streamlined access to reference material of key importance for optimal information on the global IP System.
