World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 2000)

WIPO's objective is the promotion of the effective protection and use of intellectual property throughout the world through cooperation with and among Member States and all other stakeholders. The organization seeks to achieve this goal by promoting creation of an environment and infrastructure conducive to an enhanced understanding of the contribution of IP to human life through economic, social and cultural development, and, in particular, by assisting developing countries in their capacity building for greater access to, and use of, the IP system. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organizations. It administers 23 international treaties dealing with different aspects of intellectual property protection. The Organization counts 180 nations as member states.