Happy World Intellectual Property Day!

Today is the 24th annual World Intellectual Property Day!

World Intellectual Property Day was established 24 years ago to help raise awareness among WIPO's member states of the importance of patents, copyright, and trade marks.

WIPO establishes a theme each year, with previous years focusing on Women and IP, IP and Youth, and IP and SMEs. This year's theme is 'IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity'. 

SDGs are Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN. There are 17 goals calling for urgent action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The goals recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

The 17 SDGs are:

• Goal 1: No Poverty
• Goal 2: Zero Hunger
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 5: Gender Equality
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13: Climate Action
• Goal 14: Life Below Water
• Goal 15: Life on Land
• Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

World Intellectual Property Day 2024 aims to celebrate the inventors, creators, entrepreneurs, and local communities around the world whose innovations, creativity, and use of IP rights are improving people's lives and safeguarding our planet in line with the SDGs. WIPO have put together a gallery of 'Changemakers' – a collection of talented innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs nominated for their work focusing on one of the 17 SDGs. Each featured Changemaker uses IP rights to accelerate innovation, achieve the SDGs, and build our common future. The gallery of Changemakers can be viewed here: World Intellectual Property Day Change Makers' Gallery (wipo.int).

In addition, WIPO held a World Intellectual Property Day 2024 Youth Video Competition, inviting individuals aged 18 to 34 (or groups with at least one member aged under 35) to submit a video with the theme: "With IP, we can dream of a better future, turn our ideas into reality and create a world where everyone thrives to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

The competition received 104 entries from 70 countries, with the 20 best videos short-listed for public vote between 10 April and 21 April. Public votes can be cast here: World IP Day 2024 Youth Video Competition (wipo.int).

WIPO invites people to get involved in World Intellectual Property Day and amplify their campaign by sharing on social media platforms using the #WorldIPDay hashtag and following @WIPO on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter.

For all enquiries, please contact us at mail@stratagemipm.co.uk.