World Intellectual Property Day was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and is observed every year on 26 April with the aim of raising awareness and understanding of how patents, copyright, trademarks and industrial designs affect our everyday lives.
In 2026, under the main theme IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate, attention is drawn to the importance of intellectual property rights in the development of sport, the protection of innovation, the distinctive identities of teams, sports equipment, the broadcasting of unforgettable sporting moments, and the stories that inspire athletes and connect fans around the world.
Sport is not just a game. It is linked to fashion, entertainment, media, health, the video game industry and consumer goods. Intellectual property rights, such as patents, industrial designs, trademarks and copyright, drive innovation and enable sport to connect with different industries, creating new opportunities for creativity, technological progress and economic growth. Even when we are not in a stadium, sports hall or on the field, sport and intellectual property are present in our daily lives — one need only look at the sports shoes we wear.
World Intellectual Property Day 2026 celebrates the way creativity and innovation, supported by intellectual property rights, help make the world of sport dynamic, accessible and inspiring for everyone. From football, tennis and athletics to skating, swimming and many other sporting disciplines, inventors, designers, creators and entrepreneurs work behind the scenes to push the boundaries of athletic performance, improve the audience experience and ensure that sporting events reach every home.
Patents encourage the development of new technologies and safer sports equipment, from trainers, swimsuits and tennis rackets to balls and other gear that help athletes achieve better results. Industrial designs protect the appearance of sports products and equipment, while trademarks contribute to the recognisability of sports teams, events, products and brands. Copyright and related rights play an important role in the broadcasting of sporting events, the media presentation of sport and the generation of revenue that makes sports content accessible to audiences worldwide.
Intellectual property rights form the basis for numerous business activities in sport, including licensing, sponsorship, the production and sale of sports equipment and fan merchandise. In this way, intellectual property contributes to the development of the sports industry, job creation, investment in infrastructure and the promotion of sport at the global level.
This year’s World Intellectual Property Day also reminds us of the importance of respecting copyright and related rights in the field of sports broadcasting. Behind every sporting success stand years of dedication, hard work and sacrifice, while illegal broadcasts harm athletes, fans, the media and the entire sports ecosystem. Respect for intellectual property rights also means respect for the game, the effort and all those who contribute to keeping sport alive and inspiring.
On World Intellectual Property Day, 26 April, we pay tribute to athletes, innovators, creators, entrepreneurs and all participants in the sports industry who, through their work, creativity and innovation, push the boundaries of what is possible and show that intellectual property has an important role in the future of sport.
Watch the video message by Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), at the following link.
Learn more on the WIPO website.