WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY 2016

April 26 is a day set aside by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to consider 'the role that intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) play in encouraging innovation and creativity.' It has been celebrated annually since 2010 as an acknowledgement of the impact of IP rights and the contributions of creators and innovators to the development of societies around the globe. Coincidentally, April is also the month that the Convention establishing WIPO entered into force in 1970.

This year's theme is 'Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined'. According to WIPO, "This year, we are exploring the future of culture in the digital age: how we create it, how we access it, how we finance it. We will look into how a balanced and flexible intellectual property system helps ensure that those working in the creative sector and artists themselves are properly paid for their work, so they can keep creating."

The impact of digital technology of creative works cannot be overempahsised. This impact can be seen at different stages of the production and distribution process: from collaborations of experts across jurisdictions making specific significant contributions to the finished product, to the various digital distribution channels to consumers all around the world.

The creative opportunity has become more enormous and the economic implications for owners and the society at large have increased over time. There are however some challenges. According to WIPO, 'the challenge of a flexible, adaptive intellectual property system is to help ensure that the artists and creative industries in our digital universe can be properly paid for their work, so they can keep creating.'  Thus, it is imperative that the relevant Copyright legislation of various states are reviewed to accommodate the implications of a developing digital environment on copyright works. For instance, in November 2015, based on a resolve to reform the Nigerian Copyright system by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), a draft Copyright bill was made available to the public and stakeholders to make comments towards ensuring that the Draft Revised Copyright Bill addressed major concerns and areas where the previous Act was inconsistent with the realities of today.

Therefore, as we celebrate this day all around the world, let us as a society, a people, a government, acknowledge the importance of protecting and promoting creativity in a digital environment, for the sustenance, progress and economic growth of the nation.

WIPO Director General, Francis Gurry shared an important message on today's theme.

Christopher Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) also had this to share. “Innovations are transforming how we create and share our films and television with the world. Filmmakers in different countries are discovering new ways of collaborating with each other to bring these creations to life. And the growth of the legal online distribution has led to more options for watching content than ever before in the history of the world.”

Download the WIPO MAGAZINE WORLD IP DAY 2016 SPECIAL ISSUE HERE