WIPO — A Brief History

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has a long and interesting past. Browse some of the key milestones in the Organization's history.

1883 – Paris Convention

The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is born. This international agreement is the first major step taken to help creators ensure that their intellectual works are protected in other countries. The need for international protection of intellectual property (IP) became evident when foreign exhibitors refused to attend the International Exhibition of Inventions in Vienna, Austria in 1873 because they were afraid their ideas would be stolen and exploited commercially in other countries. The Paris Convention covers:

Inventions (patents) | Trademarks | Industrial designs

1886 – Berne Convention

Following a campaign by French writer Victor Hugo and his Association Littéraire et Artistique Internationale the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is agreed. The aim is to give creators the right to control and receive payment for their creative works on an international level. Works protected include:

novels, short stories, poems, plays;
songs, operas, musicals, sonatas; and
drawings, paintings, sculptures, architectural works.

A Berne Convention commemorative stamp — A stamp issued in 1986 to commemorate the centenary of the adoption of the Berne Convention. (Photo: WIPO Flickr)

1891 – Madrid Agreement

With the adoption of the Madrid Agreement, the first international IP filing service is launched: the Madrid System for the international registration of marks. In the decades that follow, a full spectrum of international IP services will emerge under the auspices of what will later become WIPO.

1893 – BIRPI established

The two secretariats set up to administer the Paris and Berne Conventions combine to form WIPO's immediate predecessor, the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property – best known by its French acronym, BIRPI. The organization, with a staff of seven, is based in Berne, Switzerland.

The foundation stone of BIRPI being laid — Laying the foundation stone of the BIRPI building. (Photo: WIPO Flickr)

The 13-story WIPO main building (Arpad Bogsch Building) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: WIPO Flickr)

1970 – BIRPI becomes WIPO

The Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) comes into force and BIRPI is thus transformed to become WIPO. The newly established WIPO is a member state-led, intergovernmental organization, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Former Directors General

1974 – WIPO joins the UN

WIPO joins the United Nations (UN) family of organizations, becoming a specialized agency of the UN. All member states of the UN are entitled, though not obliged, to become members of the specialized agencies.

(Photo: UN)

The first PCT application in the US — Receipt of the first PCT application in the United States. (Photo: Maasell [WIPO Flickr])

1978 – PCT System launched

The PCT international patent system begins operation. The PCT expands rapidly to become WIPO's largest international IP filing system today.

1994 – AMC established

The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is established. The Center offers alternative dispute resolution services to help solve international commercial disputes between private parties.

One of the first WIPO IP summer schools — One of the first intellectual property summer schools organized by the WIPO Academy took place in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: T. Kongolo [WIPO Flickr])

1998 – WIPO Academy opens its doors

The WIPO Academy is established to provide general and specialized courses on IP. Academy courses are interdisciplinary in their approach and targeted at a wide range of IP professionals.

2007 – WIPO Development Agenda adopted

WIPO formally adopts its Development Agenda, with the aim of ensuring that development issues are taken into consideration throughout the Organization's work.

WIPO — A Brief History

1883 – Paris Convention

1886 – Berne Convention

1891 – Madrid Agreement

1893 – BIRPI established

1970 – BIRPI becomes WIPO

1974 – WIPO joins the UN

1978 – PCT System launched

1994 – AMC established

1998 – WIPO Academy opens its doors

2007 – WIPO Development Agenda adopted

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