Many intellectual property owners wonder if there is a special day of the year to celebrate the role of intellectual property in advancing progress worldwide. The answer is that yes, April 26th of every year is World IP Day.
The celebration of World IP Day started in the year 2000 and has been presented annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). WIPO is a global forum made up of 193 nations (including the United States) that set IP policy, provide IP information, and IP cooperation among the member states.
WIPO was formed on April 26, and for that reason, elected April 26 to celebrate World IP Day. Every year, there is a different theme for World IP Day. Recent examples have included Women in IP, Sports and IP, and Art and IP.
This year’s theme is IP and SME’s: Taking your idea to market. An SME is a small and medium enterprise. For small and medium sized businesses and enterprises, intellectual property is huge. The business started with an idea for their business and came up with a name. All ideas and names may be protectable by intellectual property.
The intellectual property ends up being an asset that can move the business forward and make them successful while solving the needs of people.
In recent years, we have held in person events to get together and celebrate World IP Day. This year, we cannot hold an in-person event, but we will hold a special World IP Day Pirate Fight Club to help SMEs understand how intellectual property can help them in their business every day.
This event will be at noon on April 26th. It is free, and everyone is welcome!