Why this matters now
WIPO is tested for: founded STOCKHOLM CONVENTION 14 JULY 1967; merged earlier secretariats of Paris Convention 20 Mar 1883 (industrial property — patents, trademarks) + Berne Convention 9 Sept 1886 (copyright); UN SPECIALISED AGENCY 17 DEC 1974; HQ Geneva; 193 member states; DG Daren Tang (Singapore, 1 Oct 2020-) first Asian DG; 26 treaties administered; Global IP Indicators + Global Innovation Index (GII) annual; India GII 2023 rank 39, 2024 rank 39; key treaties — Patent Cooperation Treaty PCT 1970, Madrid System 1891 (international trademark), Hague System (industrial designs), Lisbon Agreement (GIs); India ratified PCT 7 Dec 1998; ratified Berne, Paris; ratified Madrid Protocol 8 July 2013.
WIPO-administered treaties
| Treaty | Year | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Paris Convention | 1883 | Industrial property (patents, trademarks, designs). |
| Berne Convention | 1886 | Copyright + related rights. |
| Madrid Agreement | 1891 | International trademark registration. |
| Madrid Protocol | 1989 | Updated trademark protocol. |
| Hague Agreement | 1925 | Industrial design. |
| Lisbon Agreement | 1958 | Appellations of origin. |
| Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) | 1970 | International patent filing system. |
| WIPO Performances + Phonograms Treaty | 1996 | Digital-era copyright. |
| Marrakesh Treaty | 2013 | Access for visually impaired (in force 2016). |
| Beijing Treaty | 2012 | Audiovisual performances. |
| WIPO GRATK Treaty | 2024 | Genetic Resources + Traditional Knowledge — adopted 24 May 2024 Geneva; India + Indigenous communities key supporters; mandates disclosure of GR/TK origin in patent applications. |
India & WIPO
- India joined 1975.
- India ratified PCT 7 Dec 1998 + Berne + Paris + Madrid Protocol 8 July 2013 + Marrakesh Treaty + WIPO Internet Treaties.
- India GII 2023: rank 39 / 132 (up from 81 in 2015); 2024: rank 39.
- India is a key supporter of WIPO GRATK Treaty 2024 on Genetic Resources + Traditional Knowledge.
- Mandates disclosure of GR/TK source in patent applications — long-standing India demand to prevent biopiracy (Neem + Turmeric + Basmati cases).
- WIPO Domain Name Dispute Resolution — India approved arbitration provider.
WIPO GRATK Treaty 2024 (India win)
- Adopted 24 May 2024 at WIPO Geneva after 25 years of negotiation.
- Mandates patent applicants to disclose the country of origin of Genetic Resources (GR) + source of associated Traditional Knowledge (TK).
- India + indigenous-community advocates + LMICs led the push; opposed historically by USA + Japan.
- Builds on India’s domestic Biological Diversity Act 2002 + Patent Act 1970 disclosure requirements.
- Effectively closes the loophole for biopiracy patents (cases like Neem 1995, Turmeric 1995, Basmati 1997 prompted India’s TKDL Traditional Knowledge Digital Library).
- Comes into force after 15 ratifications.
UPSC angle
Know WIPO WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION — FOUNDED STOCKHOLM CONVENTION 14 JULY 1967 merged earlier secretariats of PARIS CONVENTION 20 MAR 1883 (industrial property patents trademarks) + BERNE CONVENTION 9 SEPT 1886 (copyright); UN SPECIALISED AGENCY 17 DEC 1974; HQ GENEVA; 193 MEMBER STATES; DG DAREN TANG SINGAPORE 1 OCT 2020- FIRST ASIAN DG; 26 TREATIES ADMINISTERED; Global IP Indicators + GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX (GII) annual; INDIA GII 2023 rank 39/132 (up from 81 in 2015) 2024 rank 39; key treaties PARIS 1883 industrial + BERNE 1886 copyright + MADRID Agreement 1891 international trademark + MADRID PROTOCOL 1989 + HAGUE 1925 industrial design + LISBON 1958 appellations + PATENT COOPERATION TREATY PCT 1970 international patent + WIPO Performances + Phonograms 1996 digital + MARRAKESH 2013 visually impaired in force 2016 + Beijing 2012 audiovisual + WIPO GRATK TREATY adopted 24 MAY 2024 GENEVA Genetic Resources + Traditional Knowledge India + Indigenous communities key supporters mandates disclosure of GR/TK origin in patent applications; INDIA JOINED 1975 ratified PCT 7 DEC 1998 + Berne + Paris + Madrid Protocol 8 JULY 2013 + Marrakesh + WIPO Internet; GRATK 2024 mandates disclosure country of origin GR + source TK builds on India BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT 2002 + Patent Act 1970 closes loophole BIOPIRACY (Neem 1995 Turmeric 1995 Basmati 1997 prompted India TKDL TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE DIGITAL LIBRARY); comes into force after 15 ratifications.
Frequently asked questions
When was WIPO founded?
By the Stockholm Convention on 14 July 1967. Became a UN specialised agency on 17 December 1974. Headquartered at Geneva.
What is the PCT?
Patent Cooperation Treaty — 1970 system that lets inventors file a single international patent application valid in all 157 contracting states. India ratified the PCT on 7 December 1998.
What is the WIPO GRATK Treaty 2024?
Genetic Resources + Traditional Knowledge Treaty adopted 24 May 2024 at WIPO Geneva. Mandates patent applicants to disclose the country of origin of genetic resources + source of associated traditional knowledge. India + indigenous communities + LMICs led the 25-year push. Major win against biopiracy.
What is the Global Innovation Index?
WIPO’s annual ranking of 132+ economies on innovation capacity. India ranked 39 (2023) + 39 (2024), up from 81 in 2015.