World IP Day 2016, I Ma®k the Future!
Apr 26, 2016
Today, Property Rights Alliance celebrates World IP Day 2016 themed by the World Intellectual Property Organization as “Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined.” WIPO’s member states initiated World IP Day in 2000 to raise public awareness about the role of IP in daily life, and to celebrate the contribution made by innovators and creators to the development of societies across the globe. Celebrating the success of intellectual property around the world is a great way to teach and remind people about the positives that IP brings to countries and regions; and what IP can bring the future.
Presently, IP rights contribute massively to economic growth such as creating millions of jobs, improving business practices and technology, and increasing productivity. The U.S Department of Commerce states that IP-intensive industries employ 40 million American workers with approximately 42% higher wages than industries not dealing with IP. Furthermore, in the EU, IP-intensive industries employ over 56 million workers and approximately 39% of all economic activity is created by IP. Additionally IP rights protect consumers and let them make informed purchases regarding the quality, safety, and reliability of their purchases. IP rights are Important for every country, continent, and the world, and if it is effectively defended and enforced, IP can bring countries even more success in the future.
Furthermore, in 2015, Property Rights Alliance sent an international coalition letter about the importance of IP to Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and to leaders of several other major international organizations. This letter was signed by 85 free market think tanks and advocacy groups from 51 countries elaborated on guidelines on rule of law and intellectual property as essential benchmarks to the creation and preservation of a free and just society which can be accessed here.
The co-signers wrote the letter to help global policymakers understand the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. The letter contained sections outlining many aspects of intellectual property issues such as how the existence of a transparent government, the rule of law, and an independent judiciary are important for the protection and fostering of IP. Other sections include the importance of IP for promoting free speech and expression, free markets and economic competition, consumer protection, and even global security.
While celebrating World IP Day 2016, the Property Rights Alliance acknowledges that there is still much to be done in the future in the effort to protect and enforce intellectual property rights around the world.