World Intellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property Day History

World Intellectual Property Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the role that intellectual property rights (copyrights, patents, trademarks, and design rights) play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The day allows for increased understanding, respect, and protection of intellectual property. These rights are essential in promoting innovation, fostering technological progress, encouraging artistic expression, and managing valuable knowledge assets in a globally connected world. As such, the observance serves to highlight the importance that investing in intellect, protecting innovations and legally securing inventions confers on economies and societies.

The inception of World Intellectual Property Day was in 2000 when member states of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) established April 26th as a day to focus on the importance of IP rights. In the United Kingdom, intellectual assets are recognized as significant contributors to the economic growth and competitiveness of the country. The UK Intellectual Property Office estimates that industries which rely heavily on intellectual property contribute approximately £127 billion to the UK economy. Given that, the day presents a unique opportunity to understand the complex role of intellectual property in the UK's economy, culture, and society.

In the United Kingdom, World Intellectual Property Day is observed through a range of activities including seminars, roundtable discussions, exhibitions and creative competitions, collectively aimed at raising awareness about the value of intellectual property. The UK Intellectual Property Office, along with other stakeholders, play a key role in spearheading these initiatives, fostering dialogue, and informing the public. World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated each year on April 26th. Individuals and organisations across the UK join their counterparts worldwide to reflect on the instrumental role that intellectual property rights play in shaping the future of 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.
• The UK's Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 provides the legal framework that underpins copyright law in the UK.
• On World IP Day in 2021, the UK celebrated the fact that no country produces more IP per worker than the UK and the value of IP held by UK businesses had grown from £249 billion in 2016 to nearly £270 billion.

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

Top things to do in the UK 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 the Intellectual Property Office: The IPO, located in Newport, South Wales, is the official government body responsible for intellectual property rights in the UK. They may host events or open doors for World Intellectual Property Day, so it's worth checking their website.
• Read a book to learn more about Intellectual Property in United Kingdom:
  1) UK Trademark Law and Practice - by Jeremy Phillips, Ilanah Simon.
  2) The Handbook of European Intellectual Property Management - by Adam Jolly, Jeremy Philpott.