World Intellectual Property Day (World IP Day) is observed annually across the globe on April 26 to raise awareness about how IP rights, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs, influence daily life and to celebrate creativity and innovation.
- The date marks the enforcement of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), came into force in 1970.
2025 Theme:
The theme for World IP Day 2025 is “Music and IP: Feel the Beat of IP.”
- It highlights how creativity and innovation, supported by IP rights, sustain a vibrant music industry that benefits people globally.
Background:
i.The day was officially established in 2000 by WIPO to increase awareness and understanding of IP.
ii.The first World IP Day was observed on 26th April 2001.
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, and names used in commerce. IP rights allow creators to protect their work and gain recognition or financial benefits from their creations.
Types of IP Rights:
i.Patent: Exclusive rights for inventions (products/processes) offering new solutions.
ii.Copyright: Legal rights granted to authors over literary and artistic works.
iii.Trademark: A sign that differentiates the goods/services of one business from another.
iv.Geographical Indication (GI): A sign indicating that a product originates from a specific geographical region.
v.Trade Secrets: Confidential business information with commercial value.
2025 Events in India:
i.Aligned with World IP Day 2025, IP UTSAV 2025 was organized as a week-long national event from April 21 to April 26, 2025, by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education(MoE)’s Innovation Cell (MIC).
ii.The event aimed to raise awareness about Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and encourage students, researchers, and startups to engage with the legal dimensions of innovation.
Note: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I) is the nodal agency overseeing IPR in India. The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) administers the registration and management of these rights.
Global Trends in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Applications:
i.In 2024, WIPO reported a total of 273,900 international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), marking a 0.5% increase from 2023. China led the filings with 70,160 applications, followed by the United States of America(USA) (54,087), and Japan (48,397).
- India secured the 9th position globally in PCT filings, with 4,552 applications in 2024, up from 3,725 in 2023, reflecting a 22.2% year-on-year growth.
ii.Among corporate applicants, Shenzhen (Guangdong, China) based Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. topped the list with 6,600 published PCT applications.
International Intellectual Property Index 2025:
According to the 13th edition of the International IP Index released by Washington, D.C. (USA) based U.S. Chamber of Commerce, India maintained its 43rd position out of 55 countries, with an overall score of 38.64%, unchanged since 2022.
- The index is topped by the USA, followed by the UK in second place and France in third place.
About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):
WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that promotes the protection of IP rights across the globe.
Director General (DG) – Daren Tang Heng Shim (Singapore)
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established– 1970
