World Intellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property Day History

World Intellectual Property (IP) Day aims to raise awareness of the role that intellectual property rights play in fostering innovation and creativity. Endorsed by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the observance encourages understanding and respect for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and copyright. Recognizing and safeguarding these rights is vital for economic growth, as they ensure that creators and inventors can be credited and compensated for their work.

The observance of World IP Day was established by the WIPO General Assembly in 2000. The idea was to choose a date that signifies a globally harmonized appreciation for intellectual property. As a member of WIPO, Australia observes and promotes this day, understanding the tremendous value intellectual property holds in driving innovation, enhancing our economic growth, and shaping our culture. Australian inventors, creators, entrepreneurs, and industries are highly involved in various IP intensive activities, and observing World IP Day is relevant in highlighting their importance.

In Australia, World Intellectual Property Day is observed through numerous events and initiatives to promote awareness and protect intellectual property. These initiatives typically involve seminars, workshops, and campaigns held by government bodies, universities, and relevant industry groups. The Australian Government’s IP Australia agency is instrumental in these efforts, leading the advocacy and education about intellectual property rights. World Intellectual Property Day is observed on April 26, providing a focus for recognising and promoting the significance of IP rights in fostering innovation and creativity.

Facts about World Intellectual Property Day

• The theme for World Intellectual Property Day in 2025 was Tunning in with the music of innovation and creativity. In 2024 the theme was IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity.
  In 2023, the theme was Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.
• Intellectual property holds immense economic value. In fact, in many global companies, the value of IP assets greatly exceeds the value of their physical assets.
• The duration of IP rights can vary dependent on the type. Copyrights generally last for the lifetime of the creator plus 70 years, while patents typically last for 20 years from the date of filing. Trademarks can last indefinitely, provided they are continually used and defended.
• In Australia, under the Copyright Act 1968, copyright automatically applies as soon as original expression is recorded, written, or depicted. This is different from some countries where registration may be required.
• A well-celebrated Australian intellectual property is WiFi technology. The country's government science agency, CSIRO, patented WiFi technology after its creation in the 1990s. However, it was not until World Intellectual Property Day in 2012 that CSIRO was awarded a settlement of over $220 million after legal battles with major tech companies.

In the News and Trending in Australia for World Intellectual Property Day

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Explore event ideas and activities for World Intellectual Property Day. The World Intellectual Property Organization offers workshops and programs for participants.
• Learn more about how intellectual property can help a business. Intellectual property can help protect products and services, increase brand visibility, and help eliminate risks to valuable information.
• Visit Universities: Many Australian universities, like the University of Melbourne or the University of Sydney, hold seminars and workshops on World Intellectual Property Day to spread awareness about the value of intellectual property.
• Read a book to learn more about Intellectual Property in Australia:
  1) Australian Intellectual Property Law - by Mark Davison, Ann Monotti, and Leanne Wiseman
  2 )IP Law in Australia - by John Swinson