26 | 04 | 2026

World Intellectual Property Day

Every year on April 26, the day the World Intellectual Property Organization was founded in 1970, which is now a prominent specialized agency of the United Nations, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated as a reminder of its important role in everyday life. This year's theme is dedicated to sport and intellectual property, under the slogan "Ready, Set, Innovate!".

Sport connects people around the world and is an important part of our everyday lives. Behind sporting successes, top results and famous brands are innovations, technology and creative solutions. Intellectual property is present in sport through sports equipment based on the latest technologies, brands that rely on the protection of recognizable signs and slogans as trademarks, which also protect the names of clubs and sports competitions, the design of sports products, sponsorships and broadcasts of sports events.

In the year we celebrate SIPO's 35th anniversary, we are proud to point out that SIPO has been participating in the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day since the very beginning of this global initiative in 2000. This year's theme is also being celebrated through two prize competitions, with the aim of encouraging reflection on the role of intellectual property in sport and innovation.

Prize question
In your opinion, how do new technologies affect sport? Which innovations do you consider to be the most important for the future of sport?
Prize: equipment for recreational sports.

Prize competition for supporting innovation in sport
"Free package of services for intellectual property protection - sports 3 for 5 for SIPO's 35"

The competition is intended for individuals, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and public scientific and research organizations. Contest participants need to draw up a business plan for the development and/or commercialization of a sport-related innovation, which includes a market analysis and an intellectual property management strategy.

Each of the five participants with the best rated business plans will win a package of three free services related to intellectual property protection, which they can choose from the list of services provided by SIPO. Read more about the rules of the prize competition here.

We invite you to get involved, develop your ideas and celebrate World Intellectual Property Day with us in the year of our anniversary.

SIPO joins the campaign in cooperation with the EPO and EUIPO and publishes a short visual reminder of the importance of innovation in the development of sports.

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