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There is
no doubt that creativity is the most important human
resource of all. Without creativity there would be no
progress, and we would forever be repeating the same
patterns. – Edward de Bono
Today,
April 26, governments and organizations worldwide join
the World Intellectual Property Organization (Wipo) in
its annual celebration of World Intellectual Property
Day. Wipo’s theme this year is “Encouraging Creativity.”
On the
theme, Wipo director general Kamil Idris had this to
say: “Encouraging creativity—rewarding the creative,
innovative talents on which our world and our future are
built—these are the ends which intellectual property
serves. This is what drives Wipo’s work. This is what
makes World Intellectual Property Day a cause for
celebration.”
Creativity delights the soul and stimulates the mind
through art, music and literature. It is also the
critical element in finding solutions to problems that
afflict humanity in many areas, such as health, food
security and the environment. Business competitiveness
depends heavily on creative innovations and design.
Yet,
appreciation of the link between intellectual property
(IP) rights and creativity is not so obvious to many
people. Historically, the IP system (patents, trademarks
and copyright) was hidden from the public eye. Clothed
in mysterious language, IP became the exclusive domain
of lawyers.
But this
has been changing in the past couple of decades. Before,
IP was relegated to a small legal unit tucked in a
corner of corporate bureaucracies. Now, it has a seat in
the boardroom as a strategic concern. Fortunes are being
made on technology licensing, and huge amounts are spent
to combat infringement of patents, trademarks and
copyrights.
Even
universities and research and development (R&D)
institutions are setting up technology licensing offices
(TLO) to reap the benefits of technology
commercialization.
There
was a time when malls, restaurants, television and radio
stations used music nonchalantly to entertain customers,
thinking music was free; now, they pay royalties to
collection management organizations. Some composers and
musicians are also living more comfortably out of
royalties from mobile phone ring tones and political
campaign jingles.
Ultimately, consumers everywhere benefit from the
products of IP: from literary and artistic works that
simulate and entertain to medicines that cure
life-threatening diseases. An effective intellectual
property system and respect for intellectual property
rights help sustain the creative spark of our inventors,
artists, scientists and entrepreneurs.
As
Filipinos, we have every reason to celebrate World IP
Day because of our contributions to the world. Since
1979, 71 Filipino inventors have received Wipo awards
for their inventions and 25 Filipino women have received
the Wipo Gold Medal of Women Inventors Award. Our
musicians, designers, and other artists have, likewise,
been recognized in the international community.
Happy
World IP Day!
In
celebration of World IP Day, IP Philippines mounts a
second exhibition at the Alab Art Space with Mideo M.
Cruz’s collection titled “De/generated boundaries,” and
an art workshop for the employees’ children.
The
author is the director general of the Intellectual
Property Office of the
Philippines. Comments may be sent to e-mail address: dg_asc@ipophil.gov.ph. |
