NEWS |
 |
WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY |
|
Our desire is to make known to a wide audience the concept of copyright and its existence in every expression of our everyday life, in books, music, songs, lyrics, theatre, dance, art, painting, photography, cinema, architectural designs, computer software even in maps and designs of applied arts. Moreover, that was the target of the member states of WIPO, to have the contribution of authors and inventors in the development of society on a global level recognized, when in 2001 decided this Day to be celebrated globally. The 26th of April was chosen as celebration date because it is the date of establishment and commencement of activities of the WIPO (26 April 1970). On the occasion of the celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day we are forwarding the message of the WIPO General Director and several internet sources should you wish to know more about copyright and IP Day.
Message from Francis Gurry Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Innovation - Linking the World
Rapid innovation and its global adoption has transformed our outlook. We are now linked – physically, intellectually, socially and culturally – in ways that were impossible to imagine. We can cross continents in a few hours. From almost anywhere on the planet, we can access information, see and speak to each other, select music, and take and send photographs, using a device small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. This universal connectivity, sustained by the Web and wireless technology, has huge implications for the future. With the “death of distance”, we are no longer limited by physical location – and the benefits are legion. Web-based learning frees intellectual potential in previously isolated communities, helping to reduce the knowledge gap between nations. Sophisticated video-conferencing techniques reduce business travel, diminishing our carbon footprint. Mobile telephony, already used by over half the world’s population, transforms lives and communities: Solar powered mobiles are helping track disease, run small businesses, and coordinate disaster relief in areas previously out of reach. Rapid data management and exchange speed the innovation cycle, facilitating collective innovation and promoting mutually beneficial collaboration between companies, research institutions and individuals. At the same time, digital technologies are enabling like-minded people to create virtual platforms from which to work on common projects and goals – such as WIPO’s web-based stakeholders’ platform, aimed at facilitating access to copyrighted content for the estimated 314 million persons with visual and print disabilities world wide. Innovative technologies are creating a truly global society. The intellectual property system is part of this linking process. It facilitates the sharing of information – such as the wealth of technological know-how contained in WIPO’s free data banks. It provides a framework for trading and disseminating technologies. It offers incentives to innovate and compete. It helps structure the collaboration needed to meet the daunting global challenges, such as climate change and spiraling energy needs, confronting us all. WIPO is dedicated to ensuring that the intellectual property system continues to serve its most fundamental purpose of encouraging innovation and creativity; and that the benefits of the system are accessible to all – helping to bring the world closer. |
|
April 26th has been designated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as the World Intellectual Property Day (IP Day). This Day provides us with the opportunity to remind people the role that copyright and industrial property play in our everyday life and their importance in securing creativity and innovation. In addition, the Day aims at highlighting the contribution of intellectual property to culture, economy and commerce. Let us not forget that the cultural, economical and political happenings require an investment in human capital, creation, new technologies, research and innovation.
Relatively few decades ago, the world remained vast and largely unknown for most people. Travel was costly and long. Knowledge was paper-based and hard to share. Telephone service was, in many places, non-existent. Outside of large cities, access to foreign culture and the arts was limited.
