Celebrate World IP Day 2026 With Us!
The theme for World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) 2026, as determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.
According to WIPO, “Every April 26, we come together to celebrate World IP Day. In 2026, we shine a light on … how IP drives creativity and innovation across the world of sports. From cutting-edge equipment and game-changing technologies to inspiring brands and designs, IP rights power a dynamic sports culture that inspires and connects people everywhere. This World IP Day, we celebrate the creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs whose passion and ideas drive the future of sports.”
From April 20–26, the Copyright Alliance will celebrate World IP Day/Week by highlighting the vital role copyright plays in the world of sports. Throughout the week, we’ll amplify blogs and video messages from elected officials, host an event titled The Business of Sports and Copyright, and share other content that underscores how copyright protects the broadcasts, storytelling, and creative works that bring sporting events to life. From the excitement and sense of community fans experience while watching a game to the pride and inspiration that come with celebrating our favorite teams, copyright helps ensure these moments can be created, shared, and enjoyed by fans everywhere.
Don’t Miss Our World Intellectual Property Day 2026 Panel
A video recording of our event will be published here shortly.
On Thursday, April 23 at 2 p.m. ET, the Copyright Alliance will host a World IP Day (WIPD) panel via Zoom. As announced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the 2026 topic is IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate! The Copyright Alliance’s 2026 WIPD panel topic is The Business of Sports and Copyright. Confirmed panelists are Michael Lewis, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Law and Policy, Entertainment Software Association (ESA); Christian Dubay, Vice President. Engineering and Research and Chief Engineer, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); Edward Muncey, Co-Founder of Stream Enforcement LLC and Anti-Piracy Representative, UFC; Guillermo Rodriguez, Director of Live Content Protection, Motion Picture Association (MPA) and Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE); and Randy Cinco, Vice President, Business Affairs and Licensing, BMI. The panel moderator will be Miriam Lord, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education at the U.S. Copyright Office. The panel is free and open to the public. Register here to attend and pass along this information to others who may be interested!
2026 World IP Day Message from Copyright Alliance CEO Keith Kupferschmid
In honor of World IP Day 2026, Copyright Alliance CEO Keith Kupferschmid shared the following message with the creative and copyright communities, one that speaks to the importance of copyright law and intellectual property protections, as well as articulates the importance of this year’s theme:
Every April 26, the world celebrates World IP Day and the creators and innovators whose ideas shape our culture, entertainment, and global economy. This year’s theme, ‘IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,’ highlights how intellectual property, especially copyright, helps power the global sports ecosystem. From the broadcasts, commentary, photography, and storytelling that capture unforgettable plays to the creative production that brings games to fans everywhere, copyright protects the many creative works that make sports events a shared global experience. It’s a reminder that behind every thrilling goal, buzzer-beater, or championship celebration is creativity worth protecting, and copyright helps ensure those unforgettable moments can be produced, shared, and enjoyed by audiences around the globe.
– Keith Kupferschmid, CEO, Copyright Alliance
World IP Day Video Messages from Elected Officials
This year, a number of elected officials and industry leaders have shared video messages with creators in honor of World IP Day. Watch them below:
Previous World IP Day Celebrations
2025 World IP Day: The theme for World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) 2025, as determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is 𝗜𝗣 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰: 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗣 🎶 World IP Day is celebrated on April 26 each year. In honor of WIPD’s 2025 theme, the Copyright Alliance hosted a panel titled The Journey of Music: From the Human Heart to the Human Ear, which you can watch below.
2024 World IP Day: The 2024 WIPD theme, as determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity. In honor of WIPD’s 2024 theme, the Copyright Alliance hosted a panel titled Sustaining and Empowering the Creative Community Through Copyright, which you can watch below.
2023 World IP Day: The 2023 WIPD theme, as determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity. In honor of WIPD’s 2023 theme, the Copyright Alliance hosted a panel titled Women Trailblazers Creating Success Through Copyright, which you can watch below.
2022 World IP Day: The 2022 WIPD theme, as determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future. In honor of WIPD’s 2022 theme, the Copyright Alliance hosted a panel titled Copyright and Youth: Creating a Better Future, which you can watch below.