WIPO Award for Creativity
The WIPO Award for Creativity was established in 2001 to give recognition to creators of works protected by copyright and related rights, including the creators and makers of works and productions used in information technology, on the Internet and in the virtual world.
The selection of the winners is generally carried out by a national organization or award committee composed of representatives of government authorities or collective rights management organizations.
General Guiding Principles
WIPO's mandate places equal emphasis on industrial property and copyright and related rights. In order to give due recognition to authors, artists, performers, producers and broadcasters eligible for protection under copyright and related rights, including the creators and makers of works and productions used in information technology, on the Internet and in the virtual world, WIPO has decided to introduce an award scheme to be named WIPO Award for Creativity .
The WIPO Award for Creativity offers due recognition to all those individuals or groups of individuals whose creativity, artistic skills and imagination have resulted in original works, performances or productions connected with the field of copyright and related rights, including original works used in information technology, on the Internet and in related fields. Those individuals could be authors and owners of copyright, for example composers, writers, painters and other artists, choreographers, photographers, architects, designers, translators, film-makers, multimedia producers, publishers, software developers, or alternatively beneficiaries of related rights, namely performers (actors, singers, dancers, musicians and circus and variety artists), producers of phonograms and broadcasters, who develop and shape the electronic, cultural and business environment.
The WIPO Award for Creativity is also intended to recognize individuals or groups that have made significant contributions to the arts or other creative activities in their countries or to their recognition and copyright protection.
The WIPO Award for Creativity aims to promote knowledge of WIPO and its activities and to give national authorities and organizations the means of recognizing and rewarding copyright and related rights-oriented creativity and activities in both the analog and the digital environment. It is a means of promoting wider knowledge of the intellectual property system among its potential users and beneficiaries, and also among the general public worldwide.
At country level
WIPO offers WIPO Awards for Creativity in the framework of national competitions, exhibitions, special celebrations. The awards are offered to individuals whose creations or copyright-related activities are considered a substantive contribution to cultural, social and economic development.
The award consists of a medal and a certificate signed by the Director General of WIPO.
Depending on the objectives pursued, and the categories selected by the national organizers, one to three awards may be offered on the same occasion.
Creators eligible for the WIPO Award for Creativity will be selected by a national award committee composed of representatives of government authorities (e.g., the Ministry or Agency in charge of culture, education, science and technology, information technology), academia (e.g., the National Academy of Science, National Academy of Art, universities) and collective rights management organizations. The award could become a part of national award schemes in the field of cultural and artistic achievement, software development, multimedia, information technology or the like.
The award should be presented at a ceremony, possibly with other national awards, and preferably on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day (April 26) or another occasion selected by the national organizers.
The selection criteria should be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the activity in the different creative fields (other than that of inventions) or categories of creators that need to be encouraged and recognized. Some of the criteria that could serve as a basis for the nomination and selection are indicated below.
Some criteria that could serve as a basis for nominating and selecting winners of the WIPO Award for Creativity
- The winners are selected from among creators (authors, artists, designers, software developers, etc.), performers (actors, singers, dancers, musicians and circus and variety artists), producers and broadcasters of original works or outstanding productions that have a substantial impact on a specific field, on the cultural and economic development of the country, or on both, or persons or groups who have significantly contributed to the arts or other creative activities in their countries, or to their recognition or copyright protection;
- The nominee's potential contribution to cultural development will be measured in terms of interest aroused in the public and the notoriety achieved;
- The selection should give due consideration to the nominee's potential as a model or example to others, in particular, young people;
- The organizers shall be particularly concerned that the works considered for the WIPO Award for Creativity and their content should contribute to the respect and promotion of basic human values, and not offend any national, cultural or religious sensitivities;
- Equal consideration shall be given to all nominees, whether self-employed, employees or corporate entities;
- The organizers may decide to select the winners from among specific target groups, such as women or the young;
- The same person, company or organization should not receive a WIPO Award for Creativity more than once.
- The establishment of the selection criteria and the nomination and selection procedure are the responsibility of the national organizers. WIPO will only advise on the selection criteria and will confirm its endorsement of the procedure and criteria laid down by the national organizers. WIPO will reserve the right to review the nominations in order to ensure that the agreed criteria have been respected in the selection process.
