World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

WIPO was created by the members of the United Nations in the late 1960’s to promote  and protect the use of intellectual property around the world. Indigenous communities possess a huge amount of culturally and economically valuable intellectual property. WIPO helps educate communities, including indigenous groups, about their rights and helps protect their intellectual property from unwanted distribution and exploitation.

Click here for further information on:

• What is WIPO and what does WIPO do?
• What Indigenous specific programmes does WIPO undertake?
• What treaties does WIPO monitor/support?

Get Active

If you want to get more involved in events run by WIPO, you can Get Active and:

• Make a complaint or other general enquiry
• Contact WIPO for questions in relation to the work WIPO does
• Contact WIPO for more information and volunteer/intern opportunities 
• Become a member of IHRNA 
• Attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) to raise issues

Related Links

• WIPO
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
• Human Rights Research Law Centre
• Cultural Ministers Council Intellectual Property Toolkit