A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Algeria - Office National des droits d’auteur et des droits voisins (ONDA)

The National Copyright Office (ONDA in French) has organized a national seminar on the theme of protection of computer programs, on April 26 and 27. Participants will include the Agence Européenne de programmes, Microsoft Algeria, the Business Software Alliance and also universities, magistrates and lawyers. It is for the benefit of all institutions (magistrature, customs services, national security, staff of the Ministry of Commerce etc.) involved in the protection of IP.

Australia - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

To celebrate World IP Day, CSIRO in Australia has put together a web feature highlighting a small selection of “green” technologies underpinned by CSIRO IP including the UltraBattery™; cheap and simple water efficiency technology; environmental bioremediation solutions; lightweight green construction material; cutting edge atmospheric modelling tools; and carbon capture technologies. More information.

Australia - IP Australia

To celebrate World IP Day, Business Enterprise Centres Australia (BEC) and IP Australia have come together to present a series of ‘Message of the Month’ presentations throughout May to educate business about managing IP. The ‘Message of the Month’ presentations called 10 Steps to making money from Smart Ideas will be delivered at participating BECs with local presenters from the IP profession.

The New Inventors program on ABC TV will host a live online forum following the episode leading up to World IP Day. The forum will run from 8.30pm – 9.45pm on April 22 and can be accessed on the New Inventors website.

For more information on IP Australia's activities as well as a list of Australia's leading green companies visit http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/media/pages/worldipday/

Austria

To re-enforce American and European cooperation, and to underscore the importance of intellectual property rights and the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Austria Wirtschaftsservice, the Technopolis Group, Austria, AT Consult, and the Austrian Institute for SME Research have joined forces in a new European Union-supported project entitled "Transatlantic IPR Collaboration".

The project aims to benchmark IPR-related policies and practices between the EU and the United States and will make policy recommendations to EU and US authorities. It is within this framework that these organizations are organizing a two-day conference on “U.S. and EU Approaches to Protecting IP” and "Communicating the Value of IP". At the conference, the preliminary results of a study on Transatlantic approaches to IP will be presented for debate and discussion.

More information can be found at the homepage: http://www.ipr-policy.eu/web/conference

Austria - Addendum

A podium discussion will be held on the theme, "Open Innovation and Patents - Paths to Success," on April 20, to be organized jointly by the Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS) and the Austrian Patent Office (APO).

Belarus

The National Center of Intellectual Property (NCIP) has organized the following activities:

  • a meeting of the Authors’ Council at the Center;
  • a seminar on collective management of authors’ economic rights at the Center;
  • a press conference on the protection of IPRs;
  • the launch of an IP competition for students, to be followed by the award of prizes;
  • an exhibition on copyright and book publishing at the National Library;
  • the 12th national seminar on IP, for patent specialists of enterprises and organizations in the country, at the Republican Library for Science and Technology;
  • an exhibition on sustainable development, in line with this year’s theme of promoting green innovation, at the Republican Library of Science and Technology;
  • round table discussions on IP protection and management issues at the Center;
  • a meeting with students’ representatives to discuss the functioning of the IP system in the country;
  • coverage of the Day in the media in general and on the NCIP website.

Benin

The "Institut de la Francophonie pour l'Entrepreneuriat" (IFE) (based in Mauritius) is organizing an IP information and green innovation campaign, "Innovation verte en milieu scolaire dans la dynamique du développement durable”, at the Oumako Primary School (Come District) from April 28 to May 2. The school’s Director will inform students, teachers, parents and others of the importance of green innovation in reducing the impact of climate change.

Brazil - Curitiba

A celebration of the Day will take place at the Intellectual Property Center of the Paran Industries Federation (FIEP) in conjunction with the Paran Intellectual Property Network. A representative of the Brazilian Agency of Intelligence (ABIN) will talk about “Intellectual Property and the Protection of Knowledge.”

This event will take place on April 27, from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m. in Curitiba, Paran. More infomation can be found on the site: www.nitpar.pr.gov.br

Brazil - University of São Paolo

To celebrate the Day, the Faculdade Autonomo de Direito (FADISP) or Law Faculty is organizing a full day of events at the Auditorium of FADISP, Rua João Moura 313, São Paulo, on April 27. In the morning, beginning at 9.30 a.m., the public will be invited to a discussion led by a panel of experts, who will speak on the fight against piracy: the experts will include academics in the field, appropriate Government officials and legal practitioners.

In the evening session, beginning at 7.30 p.m., there will be a Round Table on copyright law, with the participation of copyright experts who are academics or legal practitioners in the field.

More information can be found at: www.fadisp.com.br

Bulgaria

The Patent Office celebrated the Day by organizing two periods of information, from April 6-9 and April 13-15, about the Patent Office and about IP, which took place in the University "Angel Kanchev" in Ruse and in the University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" in Bourgas.

The main objective of the events was to build awareness of IP and its benefits among students, faculty members and researchers. These Weeks in the universities were also supported by the local chambers of trade and industry and by the municipalities.

The programs of these events included a Roving Workshop on the role of innovations as a key factor for the competitiveness and the success of an enterprise, and also Days dedicated to the Community Trade Mark and the Community Design.

At the disposal of the visitors there were also consultancy stands with on-line demonstrations projected on video walls, giving IP information and showing data bases of WIPO, EPO, the Bulgarian Patent Office and other sources. Also available were additional information materials and experts from the universities, the Patent Office and from the Information Centers for industrial property of the universities. They informed visitors about their programs and activities, shared their experience and answered questions.

All the participants in the events received the message of the Director General of WIPO and had the opportunity to share their thoughts about green innovations at round tables.

Cambodia

To celebrate the Day, a Seminar on Copyright will be held in the Royal University of Law and Economic Sciences, with the purpose of promoting IP, especially copyright and related rights, in Cambodia. There will be coverage of the event in newspapers and in television programs.

China

To celebrate the Day, a series of publicity events is to be organized during the week April 20-26, on the main theme, “Culture, Strategy and Development.” There will be an opening ceremony, a press conference, a series of interviews and reports, IP fora, and an Open Day. An Awards Gala and some other activities to encourage innovation will also be organized.

China - Hong Kong (SAR)

To celebrate the Day, Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (IPD) has organized the following activities:

  • a local radio programme, including five 2-minute segments and a 20-second promotion, to be broadcast from April 20-26;
  • two local newspaper supplements (in Chinese and English respectively) to be released on April 24;
  • an Inter-school Heartwarming Stamps Design Competition, organized by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society and co-organized by the IPD and Hong Kong Education City Limited, with the theme of respect for Intellectual Property Rights to promote the awareness of intellectual property protection among students and young people, and a prize presentation ceremony held on April 25;
  • an IPR T-Shirt Competition, organized by the International Federation Against Copyright Theft (Greater China) Limited and co-organized by the IPD, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education and International Intellectual Property Protection Centre Limited, to promote the importance and value of intellectual property, with an award presentation ceremony held on April 26.

Colombia

The National Directorate of Copyright (Dirección Nacional de Derecho de Autor) celebrated the Day on April 23. The Minister of the Interior and of Justice sent out, to all mayors of municipalities and to all districts in the country, a note explaining to governmental officials the work of collective management societies for creators and users of their works and for productivity in general in the country.

Czech Republic

The Industrial Property Office plans to commemorate the Day within the program of three events to be held in Prague from April 28 to 30—namely, the European Patent Forum, PATINNOVA 2009 and the Inventor of the Year 2009. It will also set up a video projection referring to the Day on its premises, together with WIPO promotional posters.

The theme of this year’s conference for the Patent Forum and PATINNOVA will be “IP in rapidly developing industries—does it stimulate innovation?” Organized jointly by the European Patent Office and the European Commission, with the support of the Industrial Property Office and in partnership with the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, the conference will bring together applicants, patent attorneys, other stakeholders and experts from the fields of research and politics.

Inventor of the Year awards will be presented at a ceremony and gala dinner on the first evening of the conference. This annual competition honours inventors in four categories—industry, SME/research, non-European countries and lifetime achievement.

Dominican Republic

The Asociación Dominicana de Propiedad Intelectual (ADOPI) and Editora Judicial S.A. (a legal publisher) celebrated the Day on April 29 at the Hotel Jaragua in Santo Domingo, by launching a special edition of the legal review Gaceta Judicial which is devoted to the theme of IP. The publications, Legislación sobre Propiedad Intelectual Anotada, and Manual de Derecho de Autor Dominicano, were also circulated.

El Salvador

To celebrate the Day, the Centro Nacional de Registros (CNR) has organized a series of activities throughout the month of April, which include:

  • radio and press publicity of the CNR about the Day, and about the related activities planned;
  • creation of links to the WIPO website on the CNR website to publicize the message of the Director General of WIPO and the theme for this year;
  • publication of the message of the Executive Director of the CNR on its website;
  • drawing up printed materials about the Day and displaying them in universities, organizations and foundations;
  • inauguration of celebrations of the Day;
  • proposals of interviews to be given by the Executive Director of the CNR and its Director of the Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual for dissemination through various media;
  • a National Seminar on Intellectual Property for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (April 1 and 2);
  • an award ceremony of prizes for creativity for 2009, with the participation of artists, writers and performers who have used the IP system, with a tribute to a specific artist (April 23);
  • two seminars on general aspects of patent law and its scope and application in the field of green innovation, aimed at the general public and especially at the Centro Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (April 20 and 21);
  • lectures at various universities to promote respect for IP and to explain to students the benefits of the IP system;
  • workshops to be held with the support of CONAMYPE and local Chambers of Commerce, to show how enterprises benefit from the IP system.

Estonia

To celebrate the Day, Estonia has the following activities:

  • a blog at http://ipestonia.wordpress.com featuring intellectual property from Estonia and all over the world, and another site at http://ipestonia.ning.com featuring Intellectual Property Network (IPN), a social network for all people who are interested in IP-related topics and who wish to share experiences and find new contacts. IPN includes blogs, the opportunity to upload and share videos and pictures, a forum to create groups, the possibility of adding events to the calendar and of finding links to patent search tools;
  • a major survey of Estonian Invention 2008 at http://ipestonia.ning.com/page/eesti-leiutis-2008 which introduces and promotes Estonian inventions, inventors, and companies and gives information on the inventions considered most interesting, useful or commercially important last year.

Estonia - Addendum

On 24 April the Estonian Patent Office will celebrate World Intellectual Property Day by attending an Entrepreneurship Day on the theme, “A Wise Deed Brings Benefit,” at Virumaa College, Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) in
Jõhvi.

Regional Entrepreneurship Day will be arranged in the framework of an Entrepreneurship Awareness Program, in cooperation with Enterprise Estonia, regional county development centers and other essential partners of the region. The target group of Entrepreneurship Day includes active business operators, potential business operators, small-sized enterprises starting their business and young people with initiative.

Specialists of the Estonian Patent Office will make presentations, give consultations on the spot and participate in the workshops on patents, utility models, trademarks and industrial designs as coordinators. Methodological publications of the Estonian Patent Office, folders and other necessary aids will be distributed.

Ethiopia

This year World Intellectual Property Day in Ethiopia will be celebrated on the theme, “ Ethiopian Initiative on IP Assets Development and Exploitation”.

The planned activities include the following:

  • A Two-day Training Workshop entitled 'Extension of Ethiopian Fine Coffees Initiative, Trademarking & Licensing of Limu and Nekemte Fine Coffees.' The training will aim to discuss achievements during the first phase of the Initiative, will assess Ethiopia’s participation in the activities of the Annual Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), talk about the application of brand guidelines and discuss the way forward and other related IP issues. The Training is organized by the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office and is financed by the World Bank, to which 80 participants will be invited. The Training Workshop is scheduled to be held from April 27 to 28, 2009 at a hotel in Addis Ababa. During the program this year’s message from Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of WIPO, will be read and training and other relevant materials will be made available for participants.
  • A statement marking the occasion, as well as highlighting the need for and importance of intellectual property protection, will be prepared and issued to private and public media.

Finland

World IP Day is to be celebrated for four days, from 21 to 24 April. The day has also been declared Finnish Inventors’ Day. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Ministry of Education, and the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR) actively support World IP Day.

The theme for 2009 is ‘Recovery through Innovation,’ which is very topical in the current economic situation. The goal is, in accordance with the Finnish Innovation Strategy, to challenge all Finns to revise their thinking and to innovate.

Introductory events will include a national Innovation Parliament in the city of Turku from April 21-22, where the theme will be studied more thoroughly. The Parliament will be a two-day seminar for 150 stakeholders, consisting of working groups which strive to find new initiatives to strengthen competitiveness and, in a plenary meeting, to make recommendations. Another such event will be a Copyright Day on April 23 at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, which will emphasize the role and growing importance of copyright.

The World IP Day main ceremony will be hosted by the Aalto University, in co-operation with the actual initiators of the event, the NBPR, Suomalaisten Keksijöiden Tukiyhdistys (an association for the support of Finnish inventors), and Headline Oy, which is the practical organizer. This ceremony, which also includes the award of the Konsta Prizes to inventors, will be held on April 24 at the Helsinki School of Economics.

France - Electricité de France (EDF)

To celebrate IP Day and to promote green innovation as the key to a secure future, EDF Research and Development will celebrate the Day by sensitizing its engineers to the need for protection and emphasizing the increasing value of non-tangible assets.

Because EDF is a major electrical utility in Europe and very involved in green technologies to produce clean energy in a sustainable development perspective, EDF Research and Development will encourage engineers to participate in a quiz. This will be available on IP Day and for an additional three weeks on EDF’s private website. All the questions will concern intellectual property on the specific theme of renewable energies, for example, wind, marine, photovoltaic, geothermal and biomass energies.

There will be questions about patents, drawings and models, trademarks and know-how, software and copyright and all the different ways of protecting green innovation, such as the drafting of non-disclosure agreements and how to conclude intellectual property agreements in general. Subsequently, three internal conferences will be organized to present and explain the answers.
More can be learnt about EDF R&D at: http://research.edf.com

Germany - German Federation of Industries (BDI)

Since 2006 the Federation of German Industries (BDI) has celebrated the Day. This year a conference will be held in Berlin on April 24. The keynote speech will be by WIPO’s Director General. In various workshops experts will discuss the effects of counterfeiting and piracy as well as the improvement of patent policy. The workshop on counterfeiting and piracy will be co-chaired by the OECD, which will present its latest research results in the matter.

Another highlight of the conference will be the award ceremony of a contest for schoolchildren on the theme "Ideenliebe" (Love of ideas). The contest was successfully launched thoughout Germany by the BDI and its partners at the beginning of the school year 2008/2009, with the Federal Minister of Justice as its patron. Pupils of the school grades 8 to 10 were asked to develop their own ideas on how to protect intellectual property rights. The Presidents of the Patent and Trademark Office and of the BDI will present awards to the first five winning teams at the ceremony.

Further information can be found at http://www.bdi.eu and http://www.ideenliebe.de

Greece - Hellenic Copyright Organization

The Hellenic Copyright Organization (HCO) organized an event in order to celebrate the World Intellectual Property Day at Stoa tou Vivliou on Tuesday 28th of April from 14.00 till 17.00 with presentations and an exhibition of material from the collecting societies and the collective protection societies participating in the event.

Greece - Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI)

For the celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day, the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), co organized with the Special Secretariat for the Competitiveness and participated in a one-day Conference titled “Business Innovation: A tool for promoting competitiveness and regional development”. Major speaker during the celebration was the Special Secretary for the Competitiveness, Mr. E. Efstathopoulos. Two round tables were also organized. During the event the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation distributed leaflets for the Protection of the Intellectual Property and gave information about the World IP Day concept: “Promoting green innovation”.

Guatemala

The following activities will celebrate the Day:

  • celebration of the cooperation agreement between the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and the Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual, which will initiate a project of empowerment in IP, emphasizing patents and exchange of information, aimed at students, researchers and University teachers;
  • a cooperation agreement between the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONCYT), the Secretaria de Ciencia y Tecnología (SENACYT) and the Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual, which supports activities connected with innovation and which is aimed at young people;
  • a project to involve youth in the country with copyright, coordinated by the Registro and the Secretaria de Bienestar Social, beginning on April 6, which will empower those who teach young people in the various centers of awareness in the country working to promote respect for IP and incentives for creativity, by ensuring the participation of young people in future workshops;
  • a children’s exhibition in the International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro—FILGUA 2009) to take place from the end of July to early August.

Hungary

A celebration of the Day will take place at the Palace of Arts in Budapest on April 24. The program will consist of musical performances (including by the Budapest Festival Orchestra), speeches by the President of the Hungarian Patent Office, by the Rector of the Liszt Ference Academy of Music and a professor of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, himself an inventor, and these will be followed by certain presentations.

There will be a Prize-Giving Ceremony, a film made by the Hungarian Trademark Association and a presentation by the Agrobotanical Center of the Administration’s Office of Agriculture, as well as other related items. The message of WIPO’s Director General will be read to those present, and the program will conclude with a cocktail party.

Iceland

The Icelandic Patent Office celebrated World IP Day 2009 on April 28. Staff members of the IPO attended a seminar at Reykjavik University, were they gave a lecture to over 400 students on the importance of intellectual property rights. The students also received the brochure “Practical information on registrations for small and medium sized enterprises”, recently published by the IPO. The lecture was well received by students and faculty.

India - Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) (Addendum)

On the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) honored outstanding contributions to Indian intellectual property in a ceremony. The event showcased India’s initiatives and achievements in intellectual property rights (IPR) and sought to recognize and reward individuals and organizations from across the country for their contribution towards harnessing the intellectual capital of our country in the fields of patents, trademarks and design.

India - Legal Firm Perry4Law

This firm, which emphasizes IPRs, and which has celebrated the Day since 2005, will be promoting the theme of "green innovation" by answering the questions of people involved in innovative technologies, especially in the fields of climate and the environment. More information can be found at http://tradeintelligence.blogspot.com/2009/02/wipo-week-2009-by-perry4law.html.

India - National Intellectual Property Organization (NIPO)

NIPO will be commemorating World IP Day 2009 by holding a two-day IPR Sensitization Workshop on April 24-25, 2009 for Faculty Members of CCS University of Meerut, which is one of the prominent universities in India. The aim of the workshop is to familiarize the teaching community with the fundamentals of intellectual property rights issues, including the need for and importance of timely protection and enforcement of IPRs, so that they can spread the message amongst their students. NIPO intends to conduct more such programmes with other educational organizations in the country during the current year.

NIPO will also launch a new website called "Gateway to India's World of IP" on the occasion of World IP Day. The website has a contemporary appearance and will give the visitor an in-depth knowledge of the role and scope of IPRs in the emerging global environment, besides providing a user-friendly interface to the activities and services provided by NIPO. The highlights include an IPR Helpdesk which provides information on Indian IP Laws, and on how to register and protect IP, manage know-how, IP commercialization, mediation services, and on innovation infrastructure. The site has a section on IP Enforcement which provides facilities such as Piracy Check, in which companies can list/display the technological measures introduced by them for their products, to enable consumers to differentiate between counterfeit and genuine products. IP Watch enables consumers from across the country to report incidents of counterfeiting and piracy which can be taken up with the original manufacturer by NIPO. The site contains a National Calendar of IP events scheduled over the year in various parts of the country, as well as information on initiatives taken by various governmental departments for the promotion and protection of intellectual property.

The website www.nipo.in will also provide a facility to its members to upload publications and caution notices. The site will maintain a listing of top IP legal experts and registered patent and trademark agents in India and other countries, to enable people to get the best legal advice on IP matters. The website contains articles on topical IP issues as well as a listing of IPR Newsfeeds and Blogspots and will be a one-stop shop for all IP related issues.

Iran

WIPO is organizing a two-day National Seminar on Industrial Design in Tehran, Iran, on April 26 and 27, at the premises of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines, with a capacity of 400 persons.

A senior WIPO official will inaugurate the Seminar on behalf of the Director General and
the message of WIPO’s Director General will be read out in the opening ceremony by another WIPO official.

The Seminar will be inaugurated by very high-ranking officials in the presence of the Head of the Judiciary, the President of the Basic Science Research Center and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Head of the Iranian Guardian Council, Members of the Executive Committee and Members of the Iranian Bar Association. The inaugural ceremony will be covered by newspapers and telecast and broadcast in English and Farsi programs on different channels of local television and radio.

A senior WIPO official will be interviewed by the media and will also hold discussions with high-ranking officials. WIPO publications will be distributed and WIPO posters on this occasion will be displayed.

Ireland

The Irish Patents Office will hold an Open Day on Monday April 27 to mark World Intellectual Property Day. As part of this Open Day all prizewinners of the Junior Inventor Competition, together with their class and Teacher, will be invited to attend a prize-giving ceremony at the Patents Office at the end of the day. This Competition is aimed at primary school children and ran nationally over the six preceding weeks. The theme of this year's competition is "Green Innovation". All entries to the competition will be displayed on the Day.

The Patents Office will be open to the public and staff will be able to answer queries and/or discuss issues relating to intellectual property from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Talks will be given by staff of the Patents Office on IP, concentrating on patents, designs, trade marks and copyright, followed by a question and answer session. Other talks will be given on State supports for innovation and on the commercialization of IP (by Enterprise Ireland) followed by a question and answer session, and on inventions and patenting (for children).

Italy - Machiavelli Music International

Machiavelli Music International is a firm involved in IP as applied to musical licenses, clearances and musical productions. It will celebrate the Day with an electronic international musical newsletter which will enable users to listen to a musical selection by young creators whose works are protected by the firm.

More at: http://www.machiavellimusic.com/web/promo/042009/042009.html

Italy - Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities

The sector of the Ministry dealing with copyright matters will be participating in the 11th Week of Culture, which will be giving information on IP laws and promoting the Day. The sector’s headquarters at 51, Via della Ferratella, Laterano, 00184 Rome, are to be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. from April 20 to April 24. In the Library at that address, from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., two seminars on IP are to be held as follows:

  • Thursday April 23: Italian Legislation on Copyright
  • Friday April 24: Recent International Tendencies in Intellectual Property

Italy - Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities (Addendum)

A seminar on the theme, “Intellectual Property Challenges in the Digital Economy-- Access to Information vs. Knowledge Protection” is to be included among the events organized on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day. It will be held on May 12, at the Università Europea di Roma, 190, Via degli Aldobrandeschi at 16.00, in cooperation with the appropriate sector of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities. The seminar aims at analyzing the latest developments in copyright legislation, giving particular attention to the “European Commission Green Paper-- Copyright in the Digital Economy”. These issues will be discussed by a panel of national and international experts.

Italy - UIBM

The Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM) will be opening its public relations office from April 20-24 until 5 p.m., and will hold meetings with enterprises and the general public. On every afternoon, there will be a presentation of a specific IPR, as well as of statistics on green applications in the past few years. These sessions will be followed by legal assistance to the public from UIBM staff members and experts from the Italian Association of Industrial Property Attorneys.

Representatives of the Italian Chambers of Commerce and of the national network of Patent Information Points have also been invited to extend the opening hours and offer special services for enterprises.

More information can be found at http://www.uibm.gov.it

Jamaica

Since 1998, the Jamaican IP office (JIPO) has celebrated an Intellectual Property Week. This year’s week of celebration takes place from April 20 to 26th under the theme of
“Creativity: Protect.Collect.Respect!” Activities will include:

  • A one-day Creativity Expo at a large public park - the Emancipation Park - on Friday, April 24. The Expo will showcase examples of Jamaican creativity in the fields of copyright and related rights, trademarks, designs, patents and innovation, geographical indications, traditional knowledge and cultural expression. There will be booths manned by individuals and companies displaying their work, and practical information sessions on protecting and exploiting IP rights will be held throughout the day. Schools will also be invited to visit the Expo and attend the information sessions. A special radio program will be broadcast from the Expo on one of the main local radio stations, in addition to other radio and television interviews and advertising in the print media in the period leading up to the Expo. The Expo will close with a free concert featuring varied Jamaican performing acts with up-and-coming artistes and more well-known names. To support the green innovation theme, the concert will feature a fashion show entitled 'Fabu G'Abage' showing attractive outfits made from garbage bags. During the Expo, there will also be displays of jewellery made from recyclable materials by students of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • A JIPO booth set up on April 26, at the annual Liguanea Fine Arts and Photography Festival - an arts marketplace. JIPO will also be participating in a symposium entitled 'Protect Your Profits: Maximizing Profits through Intellectual Property Protection,' which is being organized by Global News Products Incorporated, a private association.
  • A church service on April 25, at the church of JIPO staff members. The Governor-General, whose official duties include the granting of letters patent, will be participating in the service.
  • Launch of a publication, on April 23, by a prominent IP law firm, Foga Daley, entitled, 'Jamaica: Intellectual Property'.

Kazakhstan

The sixth National Competition for Achievements in the Sphere of Inventiveness, named "Shapagat—2 009," will be organized by the Ministry of Justice and the National Institute of Intellectual Property. A ceremony will be held on April 24, with awards given for 2008 in the categories:

  • inventions of the year;
  • woman inventor;
  • the youngest inventor;
  • talented child;
  • most active inventor.

More information can be found at: www.intellkaz.kz and http://www.kazpatent.kz

Kenya - Rand Institute for Policy and Education

To celebrate the Day, the Rand Institute has aligned it with the World Book and Copyright Day to hold the National Innovation Week, for the promotion of creativity and innovation. The following weeklong activities are planned:

  • production of a Policy Brief on Geographical Indications protection for Kenya’s export products;
  • publication of a special edition of the “Rand E Institute”, focusing on intellectual property;
  • a brief interview with the local media on the proposals for a knowledge-based economy;
  • a letter to the Minister of Industrialization (whose responsibilities include industrial property) for Kenya to ratify the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration;
  • distribution of copyright comics to school students with a view to instilling respect for intellectual property rights;
  • provision of free legal advice to the general public on issues of intellectual property law;
  • provision of assistance in intellectual property enforcement strategies to the respective Kenyan governmental authorities;
  • a national seminar on commercialization of innovation at Kenyan Universities and research organizations, with their collaborating partners;
  • a press release on the 3rd National Innovation Week;
  • drafting of intellectual property contracts to be used as prototypes and models by researchers, academics and educational institutions;
  • a scrabble tournament with the objective of promoting a reading culture, with prizes given to the winners.

Kyrgyzstan

To celebrate the Day, the following activities will be organized by the State Patent Service of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzpatent):

  • an exhibition on the theme, “Publications of Kyrgyzpatent;”
  • an exhibition of inventions;
  • thematic exhibitions entitled, “Protection of Authors’ Rights in Kyrgyzstan” and “Green Innovations;”
  • an exhibition of works by the artist Melis Akynbekov with the sponsorship of Kyrgyzpatent;
  • an exhibition of the inventor V. Darovskikh in cooperation with the universities of Kyrgyzstan;
  • coverage in the local mass media of the World and National IP days;
  • presentation on the activities of Kyrgyzpatent;
  • award of WIPO gold medals and EAPO medals to the winners from Kyrgyzstan and the award of Kyrgyzpatent’s prizes;
  • award of money prizes to students, authors and inventors.

For more detailed information, see the website www.patent.kg

Laos

Laos organized its biggest ever inauguration event for World Intellectual Property day in 2009, organizing many activities: a marathon, exhibition booths, the distribution of information about intellectual property, the provision of t-shirts for the campaign, the display of banners along the main avenues, and media coverage in both newspaper and television. See the pictures and read their report [PDF]

Lesotho

The Registrar General's Office organized two events for high school students: an essay writing competition on green innovation as a key to a secure future and a tree planting to raise awareness of the critical role that trees can play in cleaning the air, reducing CO2 and securing energy as well as the economic benefits that can be gained from planting trees. The best essay writers were given awards at a ceremony on April 26.

The Registrar also held a national workshop on green innovation, targeting participants from government ministries whose work relates to climate change and green innovation.

Lithuania

The Day will be celebrated as follows:

  • a ceremony for the award of a WIPO trophy for the most innovative enterprise in the country in 2008, which goes to a company operating the oldest Lithuanian bakeries, called Vilniaus duona;
  • a seminar at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University on the theme, “Intellectual Property in Lithuania: Plan for Mastering Crisis,” for the benefit of academics;
  • the opening of an exhibition at the Lithuanian Technical Library on the theme, “Industrial Property Protection at the Threshold of the Commemoration of the Millennium of Lithuania,” for the benefit of the general public, at which the above-mentioned award ceremony will be held;
  • an “Open Door” Day at the State Patent Bureau, for the benefit of the general public.

Luxembourg

A Conference entitled Comment valoriser votre patrimoine immatériel? (How to give value to your intangible cultural heritage) will be organized on April 27. Several practical and legal aspects of such a heritage of research enterprises and organisms will be examined. At the same time, during the whole afternoon, specialists in the field will be at the disposal of participants and visitors, to keep them informed about all matters covered by intellectual property, such as patents, marks, industrial designs, copyright and related rights.

More information can be found at : www.eco.public.lu

Maldives

To celebrate the Day, the Intellectual Property Unit of the Government has organized the following activities on April 26 at Dharubaaruge:

  • a forum for 50 business people from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., to be opened by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, which is to include an introduction on IP and presentations on international IP agreements and on IP for business people, with senior officials of the Ministry as speakers;
  • a forum for 50 owners of copyright from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., which is to include similar presentations and also information about collective management societies, with the same speakers;
  • interviews and reports on the media, and articles in the newspapers, about the Day.

Mauritania

The Ministry of Industry and Mines organized, in cooperation with OAPI, conferences and debates on intellectual property for magistrates and lawyers from April 26 to 28 in Nouakchott. The conferences broached many aspects of intellectual property, especially those of interest to the judiciary, including the legal procedures foreseen in the Bangui Agreement. The conferences participant adopted a number of recommendations.

Mexico - Universidad UNIVER de Zacatecas

To celebrate the Day, the University UNIVER of Zacatecas will be holding a workshop on April 24, which will be a forum for debate on IP, to promote culture and awareness of such themes amongst youth and the entrepreneurial and scientific communities in the State of Zacatecas. Those involved in small businesses in Zacatecas will be present at a conference on the theme, “Climate Change and Its Consequences,” where a federal delegate from the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales will speak. A professor on the staff of the University of Zacatecas will speak on the theme, “IP Challenges arising from Climate Change.”

Morocco - Association Nationale de la Défense des Victimes de Transgressions Intellectuelles, Littéraires et Artistiques

To celebrate the Day, the Association organized, on April 23, at the Ministry of Culture in Rabat, a Workshop on the theme, “Protection of National Cultural and Traditional Expressions and Copyright.” Contributing to the occasion were the Royal Institute for Amazegh Culture, Unesco, the Italian Embassy, the Ministry of Culture and the Moroccan Copyright Office.

Morocco - Bureau Marocain du droit d’auteur (BMDA)

The Moroccan Copyright Office (BMDA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Communication and the Ministry of Justice, plans to organize the deployment of a caravan, in the context of a seminar on IP to last a day and a half in Rabat.

The seminar is particularly for the benefit of magistrates, prosecutors and lawyers, with the main theme, “Copyright and related rights: practices, measures and procedures of protection.” The aim of the seminar is to emphasize the application of and respect for copyright and related rights and will involve evaluation of practical cases and case law, on the basis of judgements of the competent tribunals, to promote improved protection and a better application of law.

Myanmar

To celebrate the Day, Aung Soe & Ace Top Intellectual Property Services and the Myanmar Traditional Artists ant Artisans Organization (Central), has organized a seminar on April 26 at the Central Hotel in Yangon:

  • explaining about World IP Day and presenting the message from the Director General of WIPO;
  • sharing the general knowledge of about WIPO;
  • honoring World IP Day (Myanmar) 2009 Awards;
  • vesting the certificates of DL.101- General Course on Intellectual Property to the respective persons;
  • holding open discussions on IP matters;
  • discussing and making decisions for future enhancement of IP awareness in Myanmar; and
  • displaying the IP Day poster and distributing IP Day books and posters.

Intellectual property associations, organizations and academics will participate in the seminar. For more information visit www.aungsoeacetop.com

Netherlands Antilles

The Association of Trademark Attorneys of the Netherlands Antilles will celebrate World IP Day 2009 on Thursday 7, May 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Beach Club Moon in Curaçao. Members of the Association, as well as officials and others persons involved in the protection of IP are invited to attend.

Nicaragua

To celebrate the Day, the Intellectual Property Office organized on its premises a Fair from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 24, with exhibits about University projects, national products and cultural activities, which the media attended.

Pakistan - Intellectual Property Office (IPO)

On April 26, IPO is organizing a one-day National Conference in Islamabad, with support from IP stakeholders in the public and private sectors. This conference will provide a platform to analyze the IP situation in Pakistan and explore possibilities of cooperation between the governmental and private sectors.

This National Conference is primarily aimed at bringing together convictions, expertise and views, in an effort to strengthen the fight against socio-economic crimes which not only hinder national growth, but also undercut consumers’ rights.

Pakistan - Law Firm Ali & Associates

To celebrate the Day, on April 23 the firm conducted a workshop in a leading business college of Pakistan on awareness of IP. It also conducted several awareness programs on the leading local television channels to promote IP awareness in Pakistan.

Philippines

The Day was celebrated by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) at its premises with the launch of a Green Innovation Exhibit, showcasing Filipino inventions that promote alternative sources of energy: 25 earth-friendly inventions are on show, including a developer of fuel using plastic, a no-smoke, no-noise electronic jeep, and a mechanism to use solar power.

An art workshop was held from April 28-30 for artists aged five to fifteen, with the theme of recycling and preservation of the environment.

On April 25 a Forum on Digital Rights Management was jointly hosted by IP Philippines and Instituto Cervantes, to tackle questions of authors’ IP Rights in the digital age. On the same day a concert was held at the Instituto Cervantes featuring leading classical performers of the country.

From April 21-23, IP Philippines also held the Second National Workshop on IP and Technology Commercialization, linking creators, foreign experts and potential investors, and addressing the critical role that technology commercialization plays in the effective use of IP as a tool for economic development.

The firm further initiated a supplement with leading newspaper “Dawn News” on April 26 concerning the Day.

Republic of Moldova

Activities to be promoted by the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) on the occasion of the Day are as follows:

  • translation and publication in periodicals and on the AGEPI website of WIPO’s message for this year’s Day;
  • a national seminar on the theme, “The System of Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin of the Republic of Moldova,” for the public authorities responsible for these matters, March 25-26 ;
  • a national seminar held by AGEPI with the assistance of WIPO on the problems for legal authorities, the Police and Customs of applying IPRs, April 7-8;
  • a Round Table on the theme, “The Public Library—Promoter of Inventions,” for senior staff of university libraries, regional public libraries and those at Chisinau, partly also to celebrate the European year of creativity and innovation, World Book Day and World Copyright Day;
  • launch of the third competition, “The Public Library—Partner in the Promotion of IP,” organized by AGEPI and the Assocation of Librarians of Moldavia;
  • thematic seminars for the staff of the technological college, Balti, and of the Institut Botanique de l’Académie des Sciences de Moldavie;
  • a Round Table in the Forum of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises, on the theme of IP as a support for such enterprises, in May;
  • organization of encounters between students of schools and colleges with remarkable Moldavian inventors;
  • an Assembly to celebrate the Day, in the Conference Room of AGEPI, with the participation of representatives of public institutions, inventors and IP specialists.

Romania - The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM)

The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) will issue a press release presenting its latest achievements and projects, and will publicize the Day on the mass media and in the local press.

To mark the event, posters and banners will be displayed at the headquarters of the Office’s fourteen Regional Centres for Promotion and Protection of Intellectual Property.

A special event will be the handing over, to the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, of the Jubilee Certificate of Trademark Registration, with the number 100.000, representing the "PRO INVENT" trademark, owned by that University.

Russian Federation

To celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, the following activities have been planned in the Russian Federation:

  • a series of regional seminars on IPR protection and enforcement;
  • events around IP issues within the framework of a Forum 2009 entitled “Intellectual Property—X XI Century” in Moscow and in the regions of Russia;
  • the 12th Moscow International Salon of Industrial Property entitled “Archimedes 2009”;
  • a regional conference for specialists of the Volga Federal District on the theme, “Actual Issues of IP Protection under Part IV of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation”;
  • a considerable program organized by the Russian State Educational Institute of Intellectual Property (RGIIS) including conferences, seminars and research competitions for students.

More information can be found at: http://www.rupto.ru

Russian Federation - The Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO)

To celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, the following activities will be organized by the
Office of the EAPO, based in Moscow:

  • a meeting with Eurasian patent attorneys;
  • a congratulatory message from the EAPO President, to be published in the magazines “Patents and Licences” and “Intellectual Property” and also to be posted on EAPO’s website at: http://www.eapo.org/index_eng.html

Saudi Arabia

To celebrate the Day, King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (MAWHIBA) www.mawhiba.org.sa and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) www.kacst.edu.sa have organized a number of activities on the theme "Green Innovation." These activities are:

  • design and upload of a webpage for the event;
  • a number of seminars about IP;
  • design and printing of posters and charts about the Day and their display in schools and shopping malls;
  • distribution of materials about IP in the community, such as brochures, leaflets and posters;
  • mass despatch of E-mails and SMS to market the event;
  • publication of a number of articles in the media, discussing IP in general and its effect on business.

South Africa

The 2010 Southern African Intellectual Property campaign is as a result of the 2009 commitment and declaration as part of the World Intellectual Property Day recognition and celebration on the 26th.

South Africa is declaring 2010 the Year of IP as a deep seated sign of gratuity on our behalf for the role of WIPO in advancing the issues of IP. It is also a rite of passage and a sign of the times for Southern Africa to engage the issues with a resolve. The need for Intellectual Property expressions to come to the fore in the realms of the developing countries amidst the stinging blows of global financial recession and the coupled imperative of sustainable development makes sense.

Spain - Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM)

The Spanish Patents and Trademarks Office (OEPM) will celebrate the Day as follows:

  • place an announcement on the website of the Office (www.oepm.es), as well as the materials distributed by WIPO;
  • hold a conference on the theme, "La Administración Electrónica en la OEPM" (Electronic Administration in the OEPM), on April 23 at the headquarters of OEPM

Spain - University of Valencia

To commemorate the Day, on April 30 the University of Valencia organized a seminar on the theme “ Apellations of Origin and Geographical Indications vis-à-vis Community Law” (Las Denominaciones de Origen e Indicaciones Geográphicas ante el Derecho Comunitario). Lectures were given and debates empanelled by lawyers and members of the Law Faculty of the University.

Thailand

To celebrate the Day, the following activities took place:

  • a preview of the short film on "Challenges in Film Making";
  • a forum on IP and the Creative Industries, with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Commerce and executives of leading companies;
  • the screening of a Thai animation film, named "Kan-Klauy."

Tunisia - INNORPI

The Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété Industrielle (INNORPI) has organized the following activities to celebrate the Day:

  • a seminar on counterfeiting and the defence of marks (April 14-16);
  • the training of a group of specialists in the evaluation of IP assets in enterprises (April 13-17);
  • a training workshop on national and international procedures for the protection of marks (April 21-23);
  • a meeting for awareness promotion for engineering students of the Institut National de Science Appliquées de Tunis in the field of technical information in patent documents concerning the protection of the environment (April 22).

Turkey

TUSIAD will be commemorating World Intellectual Property Day by holding a seminar on “Green Innovation and Its Economic Benefit” on April 27. The seminar aims to show the current trends in green innovation, and the competitive advantage and economic benefits it brings to companies. Representatives from prominent universities, businesses and NGOs will share their views and experiences on green innovation and will try to illustrate the future outlook of intellectual property. After the seminar, a press release will be distributed and interviews will be arranged to emphasize the crucial role of IP in business and the need to protect and respect IP. More information [DOC].

Ukraine

The State Department of Intellectual Property is organizing celebrations of the Day on April 24. A Conference will take place on the theme, “The Current Situation and Prospects of Development of the State System of Protection of IPRs in the Ukraine,” to be attended by State officials, stakeholders, legislators and the general public: it will cover issues such as the work of the State Department in promoting innovation and also management problems, as well as rewarding creators with letters of commendation.

The awards for the competition “Invention—2008” will be given to the winners in categories such as Best Invention of the Year, Best Invention among Youth and Best Regional Invention for each of the regions. The aim of the competition is to intensify inventive activity amongst the scientific and technical communities, to encourage manufacturing and engineering innovations and to bring these innovations to the attention of Ukrainian and foreign investors and businessmen.

United Arab Emirates - Dubai Customs

The Dubai Customs authorities have organized a celebration of the Day with a view to supporting legitimate trade. This follows up on a Global Congress on Combatting Counterfeiting and Piracy last year, as well as on a large number of awareness campaigns for the benefit of government departments, regulatory agencies, business sectors and schools.

United Arab Emirates - Ministry of Economy

The Ministry of Economy organized a celebration of the Day by arranging a Workshop on the system of IPRs and the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in supporting young business leaders, other small and medium-sized enterprises and legitimate trade. This was followed by a large number of awareness campaigns for the benefit of government departments, regulatory agencies, business sectors and universities.

United Kingdom - Intellectual Property Office (UK - IPO)

To celebrate World IP Day 2009, the Intellectual Property Office is:

  • hosting an Intellectual Property Celebration at the Science Museum in London for IP stakeholders on April 22, with attendance by invitation only;
  • organizing an internal seminar on the theme of “Exploitation of IP University/Industry Research Projects” on April 24, with guest speakers from the academic and business communities;
  • rewarding winners of the recent Cracking Ideas Competition by giving Eveswell Primary School a VIP trip to the Wallace and Gromit’s World of Cracking Ideas exhibition at the Science Museum, London on April 24;
  • joining forces with three other organizations involved in Intellectual Property--Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) and British Library Business & IP Centre (BIPC)--to offer IP advice to small businesses at a CIPA/ITMA invitation-only event being held in London on April 24, to discuss promoting green innovation as the key to a secure future;
  • publishing an IP Insight e-Newsletter with reference to World Intellectual Property Day and including articles with an international theme;
  • participating, with Ashfords Solicitors, which will be hosting a series of free intellectual property advice sessions at their Exeter and Bristol offices on April 27, and with Business Link, in the offer of free, one-to-one advice to businesses with intellectual property queries;
  • attending the Autolink 2009 event, which is being held at the Banks’ Stadium, Walsall on April 28, with a primary theme of the opportunities offered by the Low Carbon Vehicle Programme;
  • participating in a Think IP Awareness Seminar--a free event aimed at businesses which want to find out more about the benefits of using IP in their business--to be held at Birmingham Library Theatre on April 29;
  • offering Business Advice Open Day which is the largest, cross government business support road show of its kind, dedicated to providing free information and support to businesses, to be held in Maidstone on April 30.

United Kingdom - Leading Organizations

To mark World IP Day, small businesses are being offered free initial consultations on patents and trade marks in London on Friday April 24. Four of the U.K.'s leading organizations in the field of intellectual property have joined forces to offer valuable IP advice to small businesses. These organizations are:

  • CIPA Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
  • ITMA Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
  • IPO Intellectual Property Office
  • BIPC British Library's Business & IP Centre

Since the theme of this year's World IP Day is 'promoting green innovation as the key to a secure future,' businesses that have a product idea or a brand that is low-carbon or involves sustainable technology will be particularly welcome.

The Intellectual Property Office's Director of International Policy, Peter Holland, will give an opening adress.

United Kingdom - The Law Society of Scotland and The Faculty of Advocates

A World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) 2009 Conference will be held in Edinburgh by The Law Society of Scotland and The Faculty of Advocates, on the theme, “Intellectual Property as the Key to a Secure Future,” on Friday 24 April, 12.30 to 2.00pm. (A sandwich lunch and WIPD cake will be provided from 12 noon)

The Speakers will be Martin Layton, Business Services Manager, Intellectual Assets Centre, Glasgow, and Patrick Stewart, Director of Legal & Business Affairs, Manchester United Limited, Manchester. The Chairs will be Roisin Higgins, Advocate and Intellectual Property law specialist and Graeme McWilliams, Legal Adviser, Standard Life.

Keeping in mind this year’s theme of the promotion of green innovation, the Speakers will consider the increasingly key role IP has to play in business in general, as well as the ongoing need to protect and respect IP, from both Scottish Government-supported agency and commercial in-house legal perspectives. The event will consist of an introduction, two 35 minute talks and a WIPD/IP Panel which will participate in a question-and-answer session at the end.

Uruguay

The Day was celebrated by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining and the National Directorate of Industrial Property (DNPI), together with the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Copyright Council, supported by various public and private institutions.

On the theme of “Ecological Innovation as the Key to Safeguard the Way to the Future,” a Day of outreach took place, including three presentations of experience in the copyright, industrial and academic sectors. These were about maritime engineering, the generation of electricity and high-quality renewable energy and research on solar cells (celdas solares). The presentations emphasized the use of IP in these projects, and the impact of such work on ecological innovation. The Day also provided the occasion to launch an adaptation of a WIPO publication on marks.

Uzbekistan - State Patent Office

To celebrate the Day, the Office has organized, in cooperation with the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, a Conference on the theme, “Trademarks and their Importance for a Developing Economy.” In addition, the following activities will be undertaken by the Office:

  • competition held by the State Patent Office for organizations to develop their own trademarks;
  • creation of courses for the administrative staff of educational, scientific and research organizations, on the commercialization of research and development, with accompanying support to students, teachers and engineers in the patent field;
  • a special course on the theme “The Legal Protection of Intellectual Property.”

Viet Nam - National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP)

To celebrate the Day, the NOIP, in cooperation with appropriate agencies, has organized a number of activities nationwide, as follows:

  • workshops on intellectual property for journalists in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City;
  • talks on various aspects of IPRs with students at four different universities throughout the country;
  • campaigns for information dissemination on various IP issues such as patents, trademarks, geographical indications, enforcement of IPRs, patent information and governmental initiatives to develop enterprises’ IP assets, to be conducted in a series of newspapers and other mass media throughout the country;
  • television programs on intellectual property on the Day in the “Science and Life” Program on the VTV1 channel;
  • a report on IP Day to be broadcast on the Good Morning Program at 6 a.m. and Daily News Program at 7 p.m. on April 26;
  • dissemination of the message from WIPO’s Director General, and of printed materials (for instance, posters) related to the Day, and some WIPO publications;
  • an innovation competition for students to be held in cooperation with the Swiss – Viet Nam Intellectual Property Project;
  • a ceremony to award WIPO Prizes for the Best Inventions, Best Young Inventors, and Best Female Inventors to be held on the evening of April 26;
  • a meeting to celebrate the Day, at the NOIP premises on April 26;
  • other activities on the Day at local levels.

Yemen

To celebrate the Day, the Trust Intellectual Property Company, under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will be organizing a first IP Forum in the Mövenpick Hotel, Sana’a, on April 26. Speakers who are international and national experts and practitioners in the field of IP will be conducting exchanges in various areas of IP.

The Forum will be strengthening the profile of IP in the country by spreading kowledge on all aspects of IP. It will be particularly for the benefit of the business and banking community, officials in the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Culture, institutions and governmental departments responsible for law enforcement, appropriate personnel involved in information technology, the legal professions, trademark and patent agents, and representatives of civil society institutions involved in activities resulting from creativity.

Zambia

To celebrate the Day, the Patents and Companies Registration Office (PACRO) organized an event on April 26 with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, on the theme, “Promoting Green Innovation as the Key to a Secure Future.”

There was a march past Lusaka’s city center with IP stakeholders, accompanied by a live band, to the venue of a celebration at the City Council area, where the Vice-President officiated.

Celebrations included performances by local artistes on IP themes. PACRO presented awards to two inventors for their contributions to science and technology through creative innovations. The event increased awareness of the importance of IP and the interest of careers within it.

The celebrations ended with the destruction of counterfeit products.