World Intellectual Property Day is observed every year on April 26 to promote awareness about the importance of intellectual property protection and to educate individuals on various ways to safeguard intellectual property, including copyright, trademarks, and patents.
The idea for the day was first proposed during the 33rd Assembly Session of the WIPO Member States in September 1988 and officially established on August 9th, 1999.
WIPO announces a new theme each year, with the theme for the 2023 celebration being “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity,” highlighting the critical role of women in driving innovation and creativity.
The inaugural celebration took place in 2000, with 59 member countries participating, and has since grown to 189 participating countries in 2022. The event serves as a celebration of creators worldwide and their contributions to their respective regions’ development.