The WIPO Academy helps member states set up Intellectual Property Training Institutions (IPTIs), to meet their local intellectual property (IP) training and skills-building needs in a scalable and cost-effective way.
The IPTIs first launched in 2010 after a recommendation from the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP). Since then, this tailor-made sustainable model of capacity building is one of WIPO’s most in-demand services.
Through the IPTIs, WIPO Academy supports member states in setting up their own training centers. This is achieved by:
Each IPTI takes approximately two years and a half to be set up but most already start providing training during the second year of the process. Established IPTIs organize regular trainings, often for SMEs in the technological sector, the food and gastronomy industries, and agri-production. Some IPTIs also provide training on IP monetization and commercialization for entrepreneurs. All IPTI training opportunities are regularly advertised on the IPTIs’ events calendar.
Once established, WIPO continues to provide support to the IPTIs for developing, designing, and implementing training projects, programs, and services that serve common needs, or provide spaces for IPTIs’ to collaborate and network.
The WIPO Academy trained 1000+ trainers through 120+ training of trainers (ToT) modules
19 IPTIs were established and offered 9,000 activities
For 520,000 participants
Of which, 53% are women
A request to the WIPO Academy for the establishment of an IPTI must be made through an official government authority such as the national IP office.
The WIPO Academy’s approach to setting up an IPTI is project-based. After receiving an official request, the WIPO Academy follows a process outlined in the steps below:
The established IPTIs have empowered many local beneficiaries by equipping them with the IP knowledge and skills they needed to upscale their businesses and benefit from their creative endeavors.
"The training program on IP helped me improve my knowledge on trademarks, which is so important for the development of my business, particularly after realizing how formalizing an enterprise can positively impact a society with new sources of stable work. As an entrepreneur, it is important to not only focus on money. To be successful you need to have a growth mindset and focus on building your knowledge. That will help you succeed in the end and move ahead. Focus on building your knowledge, including IP knowledge, and the money will come.”
– Ada Yorleny Thorpe Thomas, Founder of Aziza's Repostería y Comida Caribeña and beneficiary of the IP Academy of Costa Rica, National Registry of Costa Rica"
"My advice to anyone wishing to start a business is to study, study, and study! Knowledge is the only thing that will help you, so the more you build, the better off you will be and the better off your business will be. It is a must to have IP protection – it really is part of the process of running a business. You can’t escape it, so building your IP knowledge is key."
– Giorgi Merabishvili, Ninotsminda Honey Producer and beneficiary of the Georgian National IP Training Center, National IP Center of Georgia (SAKPATENTI)
"Through the IPTI workshops, I learned more about IP and how artists’ creative works are protected by copyright and can be registered in the Dominican Republic with the National Copyright Office. The IPTI has supported local artists and entrepreneurs like myself with a lot of practical IP trainings that were delivered by specialized professionals. They really encouraged us to register our creative works."
– Daysi Campusano, artist, entrepreneur and founder of Arte en Coro, and beneficiary of the Training and Development Center for Copyright, National Copyright Office of the Dominican Republic (ONDA)