What is WIPO ( World intellectual property organization ) Know all about WIPO

About WIPO

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN). WIPO convention lead to formation of WIPO in 1974 to promote and protect intellectual property (IP) across the world by cooperating with countries as well as international organizations. 

• WIPO is a self-funding agency
• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland
• WIPO currently has 193 member states
• Membership in WIPO is open to any State that is a member of any of the Unions- United Nations or any of the specialized agencies, or party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice.

Objectives of WIPO

WIPO's two main objectives are: 

(i) to promote the protection of intellectual property worldwide; and 

(ii) to ensure administrative cooperation among the intellectual property Unions established by the treaties that WIPO administers.

Other Key information

• Since 2009, WIPO has published the annual World Intellectual Property Indicators, providing a wide range of indicators covering the areas of intellectual property. It draws on data from national and regional IP offices, the WIPO, the World Bank, and UNESCO.
• Global Innovation Index (GII) is published by the WIPO in association with Cornell University and graduate business school INSEAD.
• India is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). India joined the WIPO in 1975.