CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html class="no-js" lang="en"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.wipo.int:80/about-wipo/en/history.html","20180810051142","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1533877902"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>WIPO — A Brief History</title><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"> <meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en"> <meta name="keywords" content="wipo history, world intellectual property organization milestones, timeline wipo"><meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142im_/https://www3.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/logo-wipo.png"/><meta property="og:type" content="website"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/history.html"/><link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/favicon/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/site.webmanifest"><link rel="mask-icon" href="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#314668"><meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#75839a"><meta name="theme-color" content="#75839a"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20180810051142cs_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/css/styles2016.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20180810051142cs_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/webfonts/ss-standard.css">  <script src="/web/20180810051142js_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/scripts/modernizr-2.6.2-min.js"></script> <script src="/web/20180810051142js_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/scripts/jquery-min.js"></script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P7RLS2');</script>  </head> <body class="theme theme--blue" id="wipo-int"> <noscript><iframe src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142if_/https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-P7RLS2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <div class="container printOnly"><img alt="WIPO" id="printLogo" src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/header-logo-wipo.svg"></div> <header role="banner"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/logo__wipo-picture-mark.svg" alt="WIPO picture mark" class="banner__wipo-mark m-hide"> <div class="container"><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/logo__wipo-word-mark.svg" alt="WIPO logo" class="banner__logo m-hide"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/logo__wipo-word-mark-no-subtitle.svg" alt="WIPO logo" class="banner__logo t-hide d-hide"> </a> </div> </header> <nav class="navigation"> <a href="#" class="navigation-toggle ss-icon" title="Open the menu" aria-label="Menu">rows</a> <a href="#" class="search-toggle ss-icon d-hide" title="Search WIPO" aria-label="Search">search</a><div class="container"> <ul class="navigation__flyout"><li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/services/en/">IP Services</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/services/en/">IP Services</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--two"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Protecting IP</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT - The International Patent System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/">Madrid - The International Trademark System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/">Hague - The International Design System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/">Lisbon - The International System of Appellations of Origin</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/">Budapest - The International Microorganism Deposit System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/article6ter/en/">Article 6ter</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Resolving Disputes</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/">Alternative Dispute Resolution</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/">Domain Name Disputes</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">Paying for IP Services</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/finance/en/">How to Pay</a></li> </ul> </div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/services/en/">All IP Services</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/">Policy</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/">Policy</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--two"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Decision Making & Negotiating Bodies</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/assemblies/">WIPO Assemblies</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/sccr/">SCCR - Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/scp/">SCP - Standing Committee on the Law of Patents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/sct/">SCT - Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/igc/">IGC - Intergovernmental Committee on IP & GR, TK & Folklore</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/cdip/">CDIP - Committee on Development and IP</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/cws/en/">CWS - Committee on WIPO Standards</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/enforcement/en/ace/">ACE - Advisory Committee on Enforcement</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/index.html#bodies">All Decision Making & Negotiating Bodies</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP & Other Policy Topics</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/">Traditional Knowledge</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/econ_stat/en/economics/">Economics</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/global_health/">Global Health</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/climate_change/">Climate Change</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ip-competition/en/">Competition Policy</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/">All policy</a></p></div></li> <li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/">Cooperation</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/">Cooperation</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"> <div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Development Cooperation</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ip-development/en/agenda/">Development Agenda</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/technical_assistance/">Technical Assistance</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/capacity_building/">Human Capacity Building</a></li> </ul></div> <div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Public-Private Partnerships</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/research/en/" target="_blank">WIPO Re:Search</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/http://www.accessiblebooksconsortium.org/" target="_blank">Accessible Books Consortium</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/wipogreen/en/" target="_blank">WIPO GREEN</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ardi/en/">ARDI</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/aspi/en/">ASPI</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/wipo-match/en/">WIPO Match</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Global Cooperation</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/global_ip/en/">Global Infrastructure</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/enforcement/en/">Building Respect for IP</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/">All cooperation</a></p></div></li> <li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/">Knowledge</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/">Knowledge</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP Databases</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/">PATENTSCOPE</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/branddb/">Global Brand Database</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/monitor/en/">Madrid Monitor</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/designdb/">Global Design Database</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/design_search/">Hague Express</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/6ter/search-struct.jsp">Article 6ter</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Legal Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">IP Laws and Treaties (WIPO Lex)</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/">WIPO Administered Treaties</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">Technical Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/classifications/en/">International Classifications</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/standards/en/">Standards (WIPO Handbook)</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/wipopearl/">Terminology (WIPO Pearl)</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Information Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/archive.jsp">Documents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/">Statistics</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/publications/en/">Publications</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/">Country Profiles</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/">Case Studies</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/library/en/">Library</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"><a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/">All knowledge</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Intellectual Property</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial Designs</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical Indications</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Training</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li> <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li><li> <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops & Seminars</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP and ...</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/artificial_intelligence/">Artificial Intelligence</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/universities_research/">Universities</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/">Gender Equality</a></li> </ul> </div><div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Raising Awareness</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/ipday/">World IP Day</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/awards/">WIPO Awards</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/tools/">Outreach Campaigns</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/">WIPO Magazine</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">All about IP</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">About WIPO</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">About WIPO</a><div class="flyout flyout--shaded"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">About WIPO</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">What is WIPO?</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/members/en/">Member States</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/observers/">Observers</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/dgo/">Director General</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/activities_by_unit/">Activities by Unit</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/offices/">External Offices</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Working with Us</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/jobs/en/">Jobs</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/procurement/en/">Procurement</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">Accountability</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/budget/">Results & Budget</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/budget/financial/index.html">Financial Reporting</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/oversight/">Oversight</a></li> </ul> </div><div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Connecting with WIPO</h3><div class="flyout__list"> <p>Chemin des Colombettes 34<br> CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland<br></p> <p> <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/visit_wipo.html">Visit Us</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/contact/en/">Contact Us</a></p><div class="social"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.facebook.com/worldipday/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__facebookx2x.png" alt="Facebook"> <span class="social__description">Facebook</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.twitter.com/wipo/" target="_blank" title="Twitter"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__twitterx2x.png" alt="Twitter"> <span class="social__description">Twitter</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.youtube.com/user/wipo/" target="_blank" title="YouTube"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__youtubex2x.png" alt="YouTube"> <span class="social__description">YouTube</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/collections/" target="_blank" title="Flickr"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__flickrx2x.png" alt="Flickr"> <span class="social__description">Flickr</span> </a> <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/news/en/" target="_blank" title="RSS"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__rssx2x.png" alt="RSS"> <span class="social__description">RSS</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/newsletters/en/" title="Newsletters"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__newsletter.png" alt="Newsletters"> <span class="social__description">Newsletters</span> </a></div></div></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">All about WIPO</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout__control flyout__trailer u-text-center d-hide t-hide"> <a href="#tools" title="Go to Meetings, Language, My Account, Media and Contact information">Tools ↓</a></li> </ul> <form method="GET" action="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/tools/en/gsearch.html" class="form-search" name="searchm" id="searchm"> <input name="cx" type="hidden" value="016458537594905406506:hmturfwvzzq"> <input name="cof" type="hidden" value="FORID:11"> <label class="element-invisible" for="querym">Search</label> <input class="search-query" id="querym" name="q" placeholder="Search WIPO" type="text"> <button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">About WIPO</a></li> </ul><h1>WIPO — A Brief History</h1> <div class="content"> <p class="lead">One of the oldest specialized agencies of the United Nations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has a long and interesting past. Browse some of the key milestones in the Organization's history.</p> </div> <div class="content content--reversed line"> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/i_000022999605_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStockphoto.com/ArtMarie)</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="main"> <h2>1883 – Paris Convention</h2> <p class="lead">The <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/paris/">Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property</a> is born. This international agreement is the first major step taken to help creators ensure that their intellectual works are protected in other countries. The need for international protection of intellectual property (IP) became evident when foreign exhibitors refused to attend the International Exhibition of Inventions in Vienna, Austria in 1873 because they were afraid their ideas would be stolen and exploited commercially in other countries. The Paris Convention covers:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Inventions (patents)</a> | <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a> | <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial designs</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <h2>1886 – Berne Convention</h2> <p class="lead">Following a campaign by French writer Victor Hugo and his <em>Association Littéraire et Artistique Internationale</em> the <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/">Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works</a> is agreed. The aim is to give creators the right to control and receive payment for their creative works on an international level. Works protected include:</p> <ul class="dot__list"> <li>novels, short stories, poems, plays;</li> <li>songs, operas, musicals, sonatas; and</li> <li>drawings, paintings, sculptures, architectural works.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/wipo_bernestamp_600.jpg" alt="A Berne Convention commemorative stamp"/> <figcaption>A stamp issued in 1986 to commemorate the centenary of the adoption of the Berne Convention. (Photo: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/sets/72157628343672393/" target="_blank">WIPO Flickr</a>)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content content--reversed line"> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/i_000018186373_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStockphoto.com/ilbusca)</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="main"> <h2>1891 – Madrid Agreement</h2> <p class="lead">With the adoption of the <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid/">Madrid Agreement</a>, the first international IP filing service is launched: the <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/">Madrid System for the international registration of marks</a>. In the decades that follow, a full spectrum of <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/services/en/">international  IP services</a> will emerge under the auspices of what will later become WIPO.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content content line"> <div class="main"> <h2>1893 – BIRPI established</h2> <p class="lead">The two secretariats set up to administer the Paris and Berne Conventions combine to form WIPO's immediate predecessor, the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property – best known by its French acronym, BIRPI. The organization, with a staff of seven, is based in Berne, Switzerland.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/wipo_birpifoundation_600.jpg" alt="The foundation stone of BIRPI being laid"/> <figcaption>Laying the foundation stone of the BIRPI building. (Photo: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/sets/72157627870234096/" target="_blank">WIPO Flickr</a>)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content content--reversed line"> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/wipo_mainbuilding_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption>The 13-story WIPO main building (Arpad Bogsch Building) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/sets/72157626651588626/" target="_blank">WIPO Flickr</a>)</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="main"> <h2>1970 – BIRPI becomes WIPO</h2> <p class="lead">The <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/convention/">Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization</a> (WIPO) comes into force and BIRPI is thus transformed to become WIPO. The newly established WIPO is a member state-led, intergovernmental organization, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <h2>1974 – WIPO joins the UN</h2> <p class="lead">WIPO joins the United Nations (UN) family of organizations, becoming a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/funds-programmes-specialized-agencies-and-others/index.html" target="_blank">specialized agency of the UN</a>. All member states of the UN are entitled, though not obliged, to become members of the specialized agencies.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/en/images/e_unlogo_600.jpg" alt="United Nations logo"/> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: UN)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content content--reversed line"> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/wipo_maasell_pctlaunch_600.jpg" alt="The first PCT application in the US"/> <figcaption>Receipt of the first PCT application in the United States. (Photo: Maasell <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/sets/72157627870234096/" target="_blank">[WIPO Flickr]</a>)</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="main"> <h2>1978 – PCT System launched</h2> <p class="lead">The <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT international patent system</a> begins operation. The PCT expands rapidly to become WIPO's largest international IP filing system today.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <h2>1994 – AMC established</h2> <p class="lead">The <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/center/background.html">WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center</a> is established. The Center offers alternative dispute resolution services to help solve international commercial disputes between private parties.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/i_000028264834_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStockphoto.com/aluxum)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content content--reversed line"> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/wipo_tshimangakongolo_academy_600.jpg" alt="One of the first WIPO IP summer schools"/> <figcaption>One of the first intellectual property summer schools organized by the WIPO Academy took place in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: T. Kongolo [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/sets/72157627870234096/" target="_blank">WIPO Flickr</a>])</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="main"> <h2>1998 – WIPO Academy opens its doors</h2> <p class="lead">The <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a> is established to provide general and specialized courses on IP. Academy courses are interdiscplinary in their approach and targeted at a wide range of IP professionals.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <h2>2007 – WIPO Development Agenda adopted</h2> <p class="lead">WIPO formally adopts its <a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/ip-development/en/agenda/">Development Agenda</a>, with the aim of ensuring that development issues are taken into consideration throughout the Organization's work.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/images/history/i_000028486316_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStockphoto.com/Rasica)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2>Related Links</h2> <div class="cols cols--four"> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>About IP</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial designs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical indications</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3>Inside WIPO</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/members/en/">Member states</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/activities_by_unit/">Activities by unit</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/dgo/">Director General</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <h3>IP Services</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/">Hague System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/">Madrid System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/">Lisbon System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/article6ter/en/">Article 6ter</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/">Alternative dispute resolution services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/">Domain name disputes</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--four"> <h3>Reference</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/">WIPO-administered treaties</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">WIPO Lex</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <div id="tools"><h4 class="d-hide t-hide">Tools</h4> <ul><li><a class="tools__link" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/">Media</a></li> <li><a class="tools__link" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/">Meetings</a></li> <li><a class="tools__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/contact/en/">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a class="tools__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/myaccount/en/">My Account</a></li><li class="dropdown language-switcher"><label class="tools__link dropdown-toggle" for="dropdown__toggle" href="#"> English <strong class="caret"></strong></label> <input name="dropdown__toggle" id="dropdown__toggle" type="checkbox"><ul class="dropdown-menu"><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/ar/history.html">عربي</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/es/history.html">Español</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/fr/history.html">Français</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/ru/history.html">Русский</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/zh/history.html">中文</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></div> </div> <footer role="contentinfo"><div class="contentinfo__inner"> <a class="self" href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/" title="World Intellectual Property Organization"><img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/logo__wipo.svg" alt="WIPO logo" class="t-hide m-hide"></a> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/contact/en/">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/tools/en/sitemap.html">Site map</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/accessibility/en/">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/tools/en/disclaim.html">Terms of use and privacy policy</a></li> </ul> <div class="social" id="social"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.facebook.com/worldipday/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__facebookx2x.png" alt="Facebook"> <span class="social__description">Facebook</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.twitter.com/wipo/" target="_blank" title="Twitter"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__twitterx2x.png" alt="Twitter"> <span class="social__description">Twitter</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.youtube.com/user/wipo/" target="_blank" title="YouTube"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__youtubex2x.png" alt="YouTube"> <span class="social__description">YouTube</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/collections/" target="_blank" title="Flickr"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__flickrx2x.png" alt="Flickr"> <span class="social__description">Flickr</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/http://www.wipo.int/news/en/newsfeed.jsp" target="_blank" title="RSS"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__rssx2x.png" alt="RSS"> <span class="social__description">RSS</span> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810051142/https://www3.wipo.int/newsletters/en/" target="_blank" title="Newsletters"> <img src="/web/20180810051142im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/images/social__newsletter.png" alt="Newsletters"> <span class="social__description">Newsletters</span> </a> </div> <a class="u-line-top u-display-block t-hide d-hide flyout__span" href="#wipo-int">Back to top ↑</a> </div> </footer><script src="/web/20180810051142js_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/scripts/plugins2016-min.js"></script> <script src="/web/20180810051142js_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/scripts/main2016-min.js"></script> <script src="/web/20180810051142js_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/webfonts/ss-standard.js"></script> <script src="/web/20180810051142js_/http://www.wipo.int/export/system/modules/org.wipo.internet.rwd.templates/resources/scripts/wipo.js"></script></body></html>