What is the full form of WIPO

WIPO stands for World Intellectual Property Organization. It is one of the oldest specialized agencies of the United Nations for intellectual property services. It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations with 191 member states. It aims to develop a balanced and effective international intellectual property (IP) system to promote creativity and innovation for the benefit of people. Intellectual property refers to the creation of mind such as symbols, images, trademarks, names, inventions, literary and artistic work and more.

WIPO is the oldest organization in the field of IP protection. The mandate, governing bodies and procedures of WIPO are set out in the WIPO Convention which established WIPO in 1967. The direction, budget and activities of the organization are determined by the member states through the decision making bodies. At present, it performs a number of tasks related to the protection of IP rights such as:

Assist the campaign development to improve IP protection all over the world
Harmonize the nationals legislations in the field of IP protection
Sign international agreements related to IP protection
Render technical and legal assistance in the field of IP
Conduct researches and publish their results
Coordinate the international treaties related to intellectual property rights
Administer treaties in the field of copyright, industrial property and related rights
w2Assist the settlement of disputes on intellectual properties

WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. At present, it has more than 190 member states which comprise over 90% of the countries of the world. The member countries participate in WIPO to negotiate treaties, set policies on intellectual properties like patents, copyrights, and trademarks. At present, it is administering around 26 IP related treaties.

WIPO also presents awards to the exceptional creators and innovators based on the nominations submitted by the national intellectual offices of WIPO member states. By presenting awards, WIPO encourages a culture in which creativity and innovation are encouraged and appreciated at every level of society.

India is also an active member of WIPO. In cooperation with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi, India, WIPO organized the International Conference on the Utilization of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library as a Model to protect the Traditional knowledge.