WIPO IP Moot Court Competition

What happens when cutting-edge drone technology designed to save lives becomes the subject of a global intellectual property (IP) battle?
This year’s WIPO IP Moot Court Competition challenges students to navigate a high-stakes fictional dispute between two rival drone companies—one a pioneer in humanitarian aid delivery, the other a bold newcomer. The case invites participants to grapple with complex questions of patent validity and infringement, the scope of trademark protection, trade secrets and enforcement across borders. As they step up to the podium to advocate for both sides, students will explore the real-world power of IP in not only protecting innovation but also shaping the trajectory of fast-evolving, high-impact industries.
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Highlights from the final round of the 2025 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition

2026 Edition at a glance

Applications

215

teams

50

countries

Written and virtual oral rounds

48

teams

30

countries

Final oral rounds

8

teams

7

countries

Out of 48 participating teams, eight have distinguished themselves through exceptional argumentation, legal reasoning, and advocacy across both the written submissions and the virtual oral rounds, earning their place in the final rounds in Geneva on June 24 to 26, 2026 (listed in alphabetical order of country): 
  • Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia 
  • National Law University – Delhi, India 
  • West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, India 
  • University of Lagos, Nigeria 
  • Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea 
  • University of the West Indies – St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago 
  • City St. George’s, University of London, United Kingdom 
  • Boston University, United States of America

A unique international experience for building hands-on IP advocacy skills

The WIPO IP Moot Court Competition is a simulated court experience where participants address IP law issues arising in a hypothetical case, including through written submissions and oral arguments before a panel of judges.  It is also a great chance to connect with peers from around the world that share a passion for IP.
Open to university teams of law students under the age of 35, the competition offers a meaningful opportunity to develop knowledge of complex IP issues while cultivating essential skills: written and oral advocacy, critical analysis, legal reasoning and professionalism.

It was an incredible experience. The hypothetical facts and legal framework were highly detailed, and I felt very confident in understanding the questions posed. The opportunity to network with the judges and organizers helped overcome imposter syndrome!

Sidra Ahmed, University of Kent, 2025 WIPO IP Moot Court Participant

Phase

Dates

Application Period

October 6 – December 15, 2025

Announcement of Selected Teams

December 29, 2025

Release of moot problem

December 29, 2025

Deadline for submission of requests for clarifications

January 16, 2026

Responses to requests for clarifications

January 23, 2026

Deadline for written submissions

February 23, 2026

Online rounds, culminating in announcement of teams advancing to Geneva

Late March, 2026

Quarter‑Finals (Geneva)

June 24, 2026

Semi‑Finals (Geneva)

June 25, 2026

Grand Finale & Awards (Geneva)

June 26, 2026
Group photo with WIPO Director General Daren Tang, competition winners, final-round judges, student participants and organizers of the 2025 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition.

“It was an incredible experience. The hypothetical facts and legal framework were highly detailed, and I felt very confident in understanding the questions posed. The opportunity to network with the judges and organizers helped overcome imposter syndrome!”

- Sidra Ahmed, University of Kent, 2025 Moot Court Participant
Group photo with WIPO Director General Daren Tang, competition winners, final-round judges, student participants and organizers of the 2025 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition.

Bringing WIPO's IP and Youth Empowerment Strategy (IP-YES!) to life

The competition is rooted in WIPO’s IP and Youth Empowerment Strategy (IP-YES!), which brings IP closer to young people by raising awareness, building practical skills, and creating meaningful opportunities to apply IP knowledge in real-world legal and innovation settings—strengthening both their capabilities and their sense of belonging within the global IP community.

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