World IP Day 2020

Join Us in Celebrating World IP Day/Week 2020 Online!

On April 26, 2020, we will once again celebrate World IP Day (WIPD). WIPD is recognized on the same day in April of each year to remind everyone of the critical role that intellectual property plays in encouraging creativity and innovation. From April 20-24, the Copyright Alliance will celebrate WIPD by joining members, partners and countless creators and organizations around the globe to mark the occasion.

The 2020 WIPD theme, as determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is Innovate for a Green Future. According to WIPO, “World IP Day 2020 puts innovation – and the IP rights that support it – at the heart of efforts to create a green future. Why? Because the choices we make today will shape our tomorrow. The earth is our home. We need to care for it.”

This year, WIPD will be celebrated differently than in the past. With COVID-19 impacting the world, we, along with our partners (including WIPO, our members, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) groups, and all other participants), have changed our plans from hosting in-person events across the U.S. to hosting events and other celebrations solely online to ensure that everyone remains safe and well.

But celebrating digitally won’t dampen the fun, creativity, inspiration and importance of World IP Day. Check out the content below that helps us remember how essential – perhaps now more than ever before – that IP protections are to inspiring creativity and innovation!

A Video Message from Copyright Alliance CEO Keith Kupferschmid re: World IP Day 2020

To mark World IP Day 2020, Copyright Alliance CEO Keith Kupferschmid shared a video that speaks to the history of copyright law and intellectual property protections, as well as articulates their continued importance today. In the video, Keith states:

The framers of our constitution rightly believed that copyright protection would benefit society by incentivizing creativity and innovation. At time when the U.S. economy and economies around the globe are experiencing unprecedented hardships, we need a strong and vibrant copyright law now more than ever.

Check out Keith’s video message below…

World IP Day Photo Frame

WIPO is sharing fun Facebook photo frames for everyone to use in showcasing your World IP Day 2020 spirit. Click here to show our support for green innovation by adding one of WIPO’s World IP Day frames to your Facebook profile photo!

World IP Day Messages from Elected Officials and Industry Leaders

• Representative Judy Chu (D-CA and Co-chair of Creative Rights Caucus)

“By protecting IP against theft and piracy we protect the millions of jobs in every state that depend on this industry.” Representative Judy Chu (2020)

“IP is a huge part of our economy with copyrights contributing 1.2 trillion to the US GDP and creating 5.5 million jobs. This impact is amazing because IP touches almost every aspect to our economy.” Representative Doug Collins (2019)

“To ensure that we are maximizing the potential of these creative thinkers, it is our responsibility to strengthen the IP laws that protect the American Dream for countless artists, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs.” Senator Gary Peters (2019)

“Copyright is a unique form of property grounded in a creators own creativity, hard work, and talent. In many ways it epitomizes the American Dream.” Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (2018)

“I’ve always believed that IP, the life blood of art and creativity is truly one of the most important inventions in human history.” Representative Ted Lieu (2018)

“The Copyright Office and its nearly 400 employees are honored to play an important role in supporting our vibrant copyright system, which employs millions of individuals and contributes so much to the economy. Not to mention the beauty and artistry it provides to our culture and daily lives.” Former Register of Copyrights Karyn Temple (2018)

“Thank you for your genius, your ideas, your creativity, the world needs you to make it even better than it is today.” Representative Jim Cooper (2018)

World IP Day 2020 Blogs

• One Movie Settled the “Debate” About Climate Change (The Illusion of More)

• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Continue to Support Creative Community (Copyright Alliance)

• World IP Day: Time to Forge a Global Solution to a Global Problem (Blocking of Pirate Streaming Sites) (Hugh Stephens)

• Five Questions With The Ella Project (Copyright Alliance)

• Mark Twain, Savvy Creator of Intellectual Property (CCC post/published by Information Today)

• World IP Day 2020 – Protect American’s Copyrights from Digital Piracy (op-Ed/Morning Consult)

Online Events

Monday, April 20 (6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET): Copyrighting Nature: Professor Ila Sheren, Washington University Department of Art History & Archeology; and Attorney Gene Brockland, SmithAmundsen, will discuss the intriguing intersection of environmental art and copyright law. Presented in collaboration with the Copyright Alliance to celebrate World IP Week. (Note: A video recap of the event will be shared here as soon as it’s available.)

Thursday, April 23 (12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET): Lamps, Amps, and Registration Stamps: IP for Functional Design (NYC Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts): This event will provide a basic overview of copyright, trademark and design patent law, using examples from the worlds of furniture, instruments, fashion and housewares. It will also include a discussion on what types of intellectual property protection can apply to different types of useful designs, and how creators can secure appropriate protection. The program is targeted to artists, students and practicing attorneys, and it’s taught by current law school students. Attendance is free but space is limited, so please register in advance. More information and registration is available here and here.

Wednesday, April 29 (11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET): U.S. Copyright Office Hosts Copyright Matters Event Titled Awareness to Action: Innovate for a Green Future: The 2020 World Intellectual Property Day theme puts innovation—and the IP rights that support it—at the heart of efforts to create a green future, because the choices we make today will shape our tomorrow. Through this event, the Copyright Office will observe how creators — who through the copyright system can earn a living from their work — can play a key role in creating a vision of a green future and its untold benefits. Speakers include: Meaghan Parker, executive director at the Society of Environmental Journalists; and Roshan Patel, media producer at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The event will be held online and is free and open to the public. However, registration is required. Sign up here.

Thursday, April 30 (6:30 p.m. ET): Young African Professionals DC (YAP DC): YAP DC, in partnership with the Copyright Alliance, will host a forum to educate its members and the public about Intellectual Property and the importance of innovation. The event is in sync with the annual World Intellectual Property Day, which falls on April 26 each year. This year’s event will be held virtually as a Facebook Live event on Copyright Misconceptions. The presentation will be by Terrica Carrington, VP, Legal Policy and Copyright Counsel at the Copyright Alliance, and will cover: work made for hire; joint ownership; uploading work to social media; royalty free music; background music for videos; and more. To attend, please register here.

Salute to our Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) Partners

Check out the great work that our VLA partners are doing, and the tireless work they contribute to the creator community to keep their works safe from infringement, by visiting their sites below.

Also, be sure to read about the important legal and professional support and education that the VLAs are providing to their creator clients, often at no cost to creators, in our new blog that commends these groups for their tireless work: Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Continue to Support Creative Community

• Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville (Nashville, TN)

• Georgia Lawyers for the Arts (Atlanta, GA)

• Lawyers for the Creative Arts (Chicago, IL)

• Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (Austin, TX)

• The Ella Project (New Orleans, LA)

• Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (St. Louis, MO)

• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (New York City)

• Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (Washington, DC)