First "World Intellectual Property Day" marked to honour inventors

The first World Intellectual Property Day is being observed today to honour inventors and highlight the significance of creativity and innovation in people's daily lives.

Today's date was chosen by Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) because it marks the entering into force in 1970 of the Convention that established the organization.

In its message for the Day, WIPO said the theme for this year's observance - "Creating the Future Today" - was selected to underscore the importance of innovators and artists to the development and growth of societies everywhere.

"We owe the inventions, designs and works of art that ease our workload, improve our living conditions and enrich and beautify our surroundings to a long line of men and women whose creativity and invention have led us from the inkwell to the Internet and from railways to rockets," the statement said. "Let us use this first World Intellectual Property Day to salute these special individuals who power us forward and give us the opportunity to create a better future."

WIPO Director General Kamil Idris paid tribute to society's inventors and creators, both past and present. "I invite the peoples of all nations on this first World Intellectual Property Day to join us in recognizing the contribution of inventors and creators in making our world a better place," he said in a statement. "We all share in the fruits of their ideas, their imagination, their talent and hard work. Join us in saluting their dedication and perseverance, and help us in encouraging the innovators of tomorrow."

As part of its activities to mark the Day, WIPO has launched an international essay competition conducted by its Worldwide Academy. The contest is open to university students around the world and carries a prize of 1,000 Swiss Francs. The organization is also encouraging countries to reproduce an exhibition titled "At Home With Invention." To assist national authorities in mounting the exhibit, the organization produced a CD-ROM featuring its own exhibition, which recreated a simple home to illustrate how various aspects of intellectual property surround us in everyday life.