World IP Day 26 April

World IP Day, 26 April: "The Power of Ideas as the seedbed for innovation and creativity"

"World Intellectual Property Day is an opportunity to encourage people to think about the role played by intellectual property in everyday life, and about its importance in stimulating and safeguarding innovation and creativity. This year we celebrate the starting point of all intellectual property, the seeds from which all innovations and creative works grow – ideas."

WIPO member states decided, in 2000, to designate a World Intellectual Property Day to raise awareness of the role of intellectual property in our daily lives, and to celebrate the contribution made by innovators and artists to the development of societies across the globe. April 26 was chosen as this was the date on which the Convention establishing WIPO entered into force in 1970.

Significance of World IP Day

To raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact daily life

To increase understanding of how protecting IP rights helps promote creativity and innovation

To celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe

To encourage respect for the IP rights of others.