World IP Day

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World Intellectual Property Day – April 30, 2025

IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP

Every April 26th, we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. A recording on the event can be found here.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, made opening remarks.

"On World IP Day, AIPLA proudly joins the global IP community in celebrating the vital role of intellectual property in fueling creativity and innovation. This year’s theme, ‘IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,’ highlights how IP protects and empowers creators across the music industry—from composers and performers to producers and entrepreneurs,” said AIPLA President Kimberly Van Voorhis.

Remarks were also given by The Hon. Deborah Ross (D-NC), Member, House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet; The Hon. Coke M. Stewart, Acting Director, USPTO; The Hon. Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, US Copyright Office; Samantha Aguayo, Deputy Executive Director, IPO; Jaci McDole, Senior Director of Copyright and Creativity at the US Chamber of Commerce; Jenny Simmons, Associate Senior Director, Government Affairs, INTA; John Cheek, VP, IP & Legal Operations, and Chief IP Counsel, Tenneco, Inc.; Xenia Manning, Director of Global Music Policy, Spotify; Dave Pomeroy, AFM International Vice President, and President of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257; Susan McGahan, Chair, American Bar Association IP Law Section; Miriam Lord, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education, US Copyright Office; Thomas (Skip) Mark, Director, Global Intellectual Property Academy, Office of Policy and International Affairs; and Vincent Garlock, Executive Director, AIPLA.

We thank our partner organizations for co-sponsoring the event: the USPTO, the US Copyright Office, the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC), the International Trademark Association (INTA), the American Bar Association's Section on Intellectual Property Law (ABA-IPL), the US IP Alliance, the Global IP Alliance (GIPA), the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI), and the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO).

The History of World IP Day

World IP Day was launched in the year 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to promote and protect creative ideas, including music, art, trademarks, writings, and inventions. The official date for World IP Day is April 26th, but events are held all over the world throughout the springtime.

How is World IP Celebrated?

World IP Day is celebrated all over the globe in the form of panels, receptions, expos, and educational outreach for students of all ages. AIPLA works with the USPTO and WIPO to expand those celebrations across the United States. Local leads in cities across the U.S. work in teams that include local IP law associations, Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions, and educational non-profit organizations to put on these events to celebrate World IP Day.

What are the scope of past events?

Previous events range from panels for adults including attorneys and entreprenuers to events and contests for elementary, high school, college, and law students. Each location's lead or team selects the event most appropriate to their community.