Worldtellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property Day is an annual global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the role of intellectual property rights in fostering innovation and creativity. This day celebrates how patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs impact our daily lives and contribute to the development of societies worldwide.

Quick Facts

When is it: April 26 annually
Tagged as: World IP Day
What’s the hashtag: #WorldIPDay
When was it founded: 2000
Who founded it: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

History of World IP Day

The initiative began with a proposal from China’s State Intellectual Property Office in 1999. The date April 26 was chosen to commemorate the day when the WIPO Convention came into force in 1970. Since its inception, participation has grown from 59 countries in 2000 to 189 countries in 2022.

Timeline

1970: WIPO Convention enters into force
1999: Chinese delegation proposes World IP Day
2000: WIPO establishes World IP Day
2001: First official celebration
2022: Reaches 189 participating countries

Dates by Next Year

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	April 26	Saturday
2026	April 26	Sunday
2027	April 26	Monday

How It’s Observed

The day features worldwide celebrations through conferences, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, and webinars. Countries organize various events to promote IP awareness and protection, with some extending celebrations across a week or month.

Fun Facts About IP

Scents can be trademarked if associated with specific products
Ideas and facts cannot be copyrighted
IP-intensive industries contribute 38.2% of U.S. GDP
Patent lawsuits can cost around $3 million to defend
Approximately 12,000 IP infringement cases are filed yearly

Quiz

What does the © symbol mean?
(Answer: Copyright protection)
How long does copyright typically last?
(Answer: Author’s lifetime plus 70 years)
What can’t be patented?
(Answer: A simple idea)

FAQs

What are the four types of IP?
Patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights
Who owns intellectual property?
The creator or their employer if created under employment
Can intellectual property be bought?
Yes, through legal channels with proper documentation