World Intellectual Property Day 2025, Theme, WIPO, Types of IPR in India

World Intellectual Property Day: Every year on April 26, the world celebrates World Intellectual Property Day. This global event recognises the key role of intellectual property (IP) rights in promoting innovation, creativity, and economic growth. World Intellectual Property Day 2025 centers around a universally beloved theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, shining a spotlight on the creative minds and innovation policies that shape the music.

This global event, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), emphasizes how Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) support artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

World Intellectual Property Day 2025

World Intellectual Property Day 2025 is a global celebration held on April 26 to recognize the significance of intellectual property (IP) in promoting innovation, safeguarding creators, and enhancing global economic and cultural development. 

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This year’s theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” highlights the transformative power of music and the essential role IP rights play in protecting the creativity of composers, artists, producers, and entrepreneurs around the world. World Intellectual Property Day 2025 encourages individuals and communities to honor the unique contributions of innovators who drive positive change through protected creativity.

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World Intellectual Property Day 2025 Theme

The World Intellectual Property Day 2025 theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, highlights how music, as a form of creative expression, benefits from strong IP systems. Every musical composition is a reflection of innovation and talent. This year’s campaign emphasizes the role of intellectual property rights in empowering musicians, songwriters, performers, and producers to prosper economically and artistically.

Music surpasses boundaries and industries. Whether it’s in movies, gaming, advertising, fashion, or social media, music is everywhere. Through World Intellectual Property Day 2025, WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) explores how IP supports this dynamic ecosystem and keeps the beat going strong for generations to come.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the human intellect, like inventions, literary works, designs, symbols, and names that are used in commerce. These intangible assets are protected by laws that give creators exclusive rights for a certain period. IP empowers creators to earn recognition and economic rewards for their work, while society benefits from continuous innovation.

Types of Intellectual Property Rights in India

There are several categories under Intellectual Property Rights in India, each protecting different forms of creativity and innovation:

1. Copyright – Protects original literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works. In music, copyright safeguards compositions, lyrics, sound recordings, and performances.

2. Patent – Grants exclusive rights to inventors for their inventions. This includes new music technologies, sound engineering innovations, or music-related software.

3. Trademark – Protects brand identity, such as names, logos, and slogans. Musicians, labels, and bands often trademark their names and logos.

4. Geographical Indication (GI) – Protects products associated with a specific region. Though not directly related to music, it ensures authenticity in cultural products that influence traditional music forms.

5. Industrial Designs – Protects aesthetic aspects of products. This can include the design of musical instruments or album artwork.

6. Trade Secrets – Protects confidential business information. Music production techniques and software algorithms can fall under this category.

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WIPO and Its Function

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 1967, WIPO is responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property rights worldwide through cooperation among nations and the administration of various international treaties. WIPO’s key functions include:

• Developing international IP laws and standards.
• Providing a forum for negotiations and cooperation.
• Offering global IP services like patent and trademark filing systems.
• Conducting IP training, education, and awareness initiatives.

In 2000, WIPO’s member states officially designated April 26 the date on which the WIPO Convention came into force as World Intellectual Property Day.

Intellectual Property Rights in India

India has taken substantial steps in strengthening its IP ecosystem. As a signatory to the TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) and a member of WIPO, India recognizes the importance of protecting innovation.

India’s National IPR Policy 2016, with the motto “Creative India; Innovative India”, provides a strategic framework to promote awareness, commercialization, enforcement, and human capital development in the field of intellectual property. Key highlights include:

• Simplification of IP filing procedures.

• Awareness campaigns across schools and industries.

• The establishment of the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM).

• Faster IP examination and granting timelines.

India is also a signatory to major global IP treaties, including:

• The Paris Convention for Industrial Property

• The Berne Convention for Literary and Artistic Works

• The Madrid Protocol for trademarks

• The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)

These align India with global best practices and enable Indian IP to be protected internationally.

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Why IP Matters for Music? Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day 2025

World Intellectual Property Day 2025 brings music and IP together, emphasizing how a well-established IP framework enables musicians to monetize their talents and expand their reach. With proper protection, creators can:

• License their music for commercial use.

• Prevent unauthorized use or piracy.

• Secure royalties and revenue streams.

• Build strong brands and fan loyalty.

This synergy between World Intellectual Property Day 2025 and the music industry also fosters collaborations across film, fashion, gaming, and technology, generating economic benefits and encouraging cultural exchange.

How to Get Involved in World Intellectual Property Day 2025

There are multiple ways to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2025:

• Organize community events focusing on music and creativity.

• Host educational workshops on IP rights for aspiring artists.

• Share stories online about local musicians using IP to succeed.

• Access WIPO’s social media kit and resources to create your own #WorldIPDay campaign.

Conclusion

World Intellectual Property Day 2025 is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. It invites everyone to acknowledge how IP rights empower creativity and innovation, especially in music. With the theme “Feel the Beat of IP”, this year’s celebration reminds us that every tune, lyric, and rhythm is protected and made possible through IP laws.

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