BPMembers urged to join  WIPO and its Member States in celebrating the importance of intellectual property in their personal and professional lives.

“Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time.”

"Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana."

These two quotes from world-class innovator and IP rights owner, Bill Gates, say it all about the state of intellectual property today. While most people are aware of the intellectual property concept - of copyright, patents, industrial designs and trademarks - many still view them as business or legal concepts with little relevance to their own lives. To address this gap, WIPO’s Member States decided in 2000 to designate an annual World Intellectual Property Day. They chose April 26, the date on which the Convention establishing WIPO originally entered into force in 1970.

BPCouncil's community of brand protection and intellectual property professionals see the positive contribution IP has made in fostering creativity in the arts and entertainment, and enabling innovation in technology, manufacturing and medicine. They have also seen the adverse impact on the global economy and consumer safety that result from disregarding IP rights and counterfeiting.

This year, WIPO's World IP Day is centered on celebrating innovation and promoting respect for intellectual property. Through activities, events and campaigns, WIPO aims to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademark and designs impact daily life and increase understanding of how protecting IPR helps promote creativity and innovation.
    
BPCouncil salutes WIPO for its efforts and urges BPMembers to raise IP awareness on this special day by embarking on the following activities:

·         Post the BPCouncil World IP day banner on their websites

·         Circulate the BPCouncil World IP Day poster

·         Submit an article to BPCouncil.com relating to the World IP Day focus

·         Run a workshop highlighting the link between IP and innovation

·         Share information with consumers on the benefits of respecting IP systems

·         Foster a debate on IP flashpoint topics: like illegal file sharing on the Internet or patents, generics and access to pharmaceuticals

·         Showcase technologies that protect the consumer from faulty counterfeit products

BPMembers can further get their organization's World IP Day events played up on BPCalendar or written about in www.bpcouncil.com just be sending the information to editor@bpcouncil.com.

Sure, it's only one day. But celebrating WIPO's World IP Day could go a long way in increasing awareness throughout the year of intellectual property and its importance to people, economies and nations. 

Download the BPCouncil 2008 World IP Day poster and banners. 
You are welcome to add your logo to the BPCouncil 
poster and banners.

World IP Day Poster (pdf) - 20 MB         (Download)
World IP Day Poster (jpeg) - 900 KB      (Download)
World IP Day Banner 600x160 - 36 KB   (Download)
World IP Day Banner 250x160 - 18 KB   (Download)