Background briefing on Intellectual Property and Sport

The House of Lords Library has produced a briefing providing information on World Intellectual Property Day, marked on 26 April each year.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) which aims to promote a “balanced and effective international intellectual property (IP) system”. In 2000, WIPO designated 26 April as World Intellectual Property Day to:

• increase the general understanding of intellectual property; and
• highlight the role of intellectual property rights in encouraging innovation and creativity.

The day’s theme for 2019 is “Intellectual Property and Sports: Reach for Gold”. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness of how different IP protections “support the global sports ecosystem”.