The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It aims to promote the protection of intellectual property worldwide through cooperation between countries. WIPO serves the interests of creators and holders of intellectual property in cross-border issues.

WIPO:

• administers numerous treaties on the protection of patents, trade marks, designs, geographical indications and copyright (such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works);
• is engaged in technical cooperation;
• supports its member states with the implementation of treaties and with the creation and improvement of the necessary infrastructure to ensure effective protection of intellectual property;
• provides services to rights owners who wish to protect their rights in several countries through the international registration systems;
• operates an Arbitration and Mediation Center for alternative dispute resolution and a mechanism to resolve internet domain name disputes.

What tasks does the IPI perform at WIPO?

• We represent Switzerland in collaboration with other competent federal authorities, such as the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
• We play an active and constructive role in WIPO's discussions.
• We stand for a strong and modern protection of intellectual property rights and promote solutions that accommodate the interests of the various parties.
• We are committed to ensuring the international registration systems and WIPO's administrative and institutional processes in general function effectively.