This month there are two dates celebrating books and intellectual property. 

World Book and Copyright Day celebrates all things book-related: writing, reading, translating, publishing and copyrighting. On 23 April each year, celebrations take place all over the world to recognise the scope of books—a bridge between generations and across cultures.  

A symbolic date in world literature, 23 April is the date prominent authors William Shakespeare, Miguel Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died in 1616. The first World Book Day was celebrated on 23 April in 1995.  Each year UNESCO and the international organisations representing the three major sectors of the book industry—publishers, booksellers and libraries—nominate a city to act as World Book Capital to champion and lead the Day’s celebration. The World Book Capital for 2022 is Guadalajara, Mexico. 

World Book and Copyright Day highlights the power of books and their ability to impart knowledge and values to readers of all ages. It reinforces the idea that books serve as windows into different worlds, both fictional and non-fictional.  This day also acknowledges the rights of authors and artists, whose work is protected by copyrights.  

A poster showing two people surrounded by different objects, including a robot, a bicycle, a computer, a sunflower, a wind turbine, a building, and a hot potato. The text reads: IP and youth innovating for a better future. World Intellectual Property Day 2022 April 26.

Source: wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/ipday/

Hot on the heels of World Book and Copyright day is another day promoting the recognition of individual inventive achievement: World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April.  

Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. IP is protected in law by patents, copyright and trademarks (https://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/).

This year, the theme for World Intellectual Property Day is IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future. Across the globe, young people are stepping up to innovation challenges, using their energy and ingenuity, their curiosity and creativity to steer a course towards a better future. Explore how some of these energetic and creative minds are driving positive change via the World IP Day Youth Gallery.