The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) had its origins in the 1883 Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the 1886 Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. The convention establishing WIPO was signed in 1967 and entered into force in 1970. WIPO became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1974, and as of June 1, 1995, had 155 member states.
Aims and Activities
The main objectives of WIPO are to maintain and increase respect for intellectual property throughout the world in order to favor industrial and cultural development by stimulating creative activity and facilitating the transfer of technology and the dissemination of literary and artistic works. Intellectual property comprises two main branches: industrial property (patents and other rights in technological inventions, rights in trade marks, industrial designs, appellations of origin, etc.) and copyright and neighboring rights (in literary, musical and artistic works, films, performances of performing artists, phonograms, etc.).
To aid in the protection of intellectual property, WIPO promotes the wider acceptance of existing treaties and their revision and, where necessary, encourages the conclusion of new treaties and assists in the development of national legislation. It also gives legal technical assistance to developing countries; assembles and disseminates information; and maintains services for international registration or other administrative cooperation among the member states of the "Unions" which WIPO administers and which are founded on treaties, conventions and agreements dating back to 1883.
Administration
WIPO has a conference of all member states and a general assembly, composed of those member states which are also members of the Paris or Berne Unions. The governing bodies of WIPO and the Unions administered by WIPO normally meet in joint session to adopt their programs and budgets and to discuss and decide policy. The secretariat of WIPO-the International Bureau-is headed by the Director-General.
From Basic Facts About the United Nations. Published by United Nations Department of Public Information. Copyright 1995 United Nations.
