Only with human ingenuity can we develop solutions for the global challenges before us.
Intellectual property (IP) rights are a critical incentive for the innovation and creativity that drive these solutions and, in turn, for the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
That was my key message to participants in an American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) event commemorating World Intellectual Property Day.
I also took stock of the current world IP landscape, where we see more people using the global IP system today than ever before, and which has seen global innovation engines become more diverse.
At WIPO, we work day in and day out to ensure that the global IP system remains robust.
We are undertaking major work to simultaneously enhance and facilitate the customer experience across all our IP services. We have also increased our support for those at the forefront of creativity and innovation through initiatives such as our Inventor Assistance Program, which helps individuals and small businesses with limited resources take their products to market, and our IP Diagnostic Tool that helps businesspeople identify their IP assets in areas in which they may not have previously realized potential.
We also convene and serve as a forum for dialogue, including discussions on the impact of frontier technologies on IP, IP finance, and, specifically in my Sector, on trade secrets, standard essential patents, FRAND disputes, and many more.
As advocates for a resilient global IP ecosystem, we also want to look at what’s ahead. Disruptors, both visible and unforeseen, can rapidly change the pace and direction of innovation and creativity. Take, for example, the speed at which Large Language Models and Generative AI engines have evolved.
We face a multitude of potential future scenarios for which we need to anticipate, prepare and selectively address. This is why WIPO is working to amplify its foresight abilities, as well as to build capacity within the innovative and creative community to understand, navigate and shape IP-driven innovative and creative futures that benefit everyone, everywhere.
It was an absolute pleasure to speak at this solutions-focused event. Thank you, AmCham EU, for the invitation.
My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with you and other partners in shaping a strong and resilient global IP ecosystem – one that benefits everyone and moves us all closer towards the realization of the SDGs.
Photo: AmCham EU
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