WIPO launched a video competition in celebration of intellectual property (IP) examiners worldwide and their contributions to the IP system. IP examiners and aspiring IP examiners submitted 30 to 90-second videos that captured the behind the scenes of examining an application using fictional examples.
Prizes of the video competition
Winners of the video competition are awarded the following prizes:
- First prize: A scholarship for the Advanced International Certificate Course on IP Asset Management for Business Success (AICC) in the Republic of Korea;
- Second and third prizes: Scholarships for coveted spots on a WIPO Summer School held in in the country closest to the participant; and
- Fourth and fifth prizes: Scholarships for WIPO Academy advanced IP eLearning courses.
Important dates
- Competition launch: May 15, 2025
- Submission deadline: September 1, 2025, 23:59 CEST
- Winner announcement: September 19, 2025
And the winners are…
Disclaimer: WIPO makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or integrity of the content of the videos and assumes no liability in this regard. Participants are solely responsible for securing any rights in third-party material (including copyrights, trademarks, or other protected rights), and WIPO disclaims any liability in this respect.
First place: The Guardian of Innovation
By Delia López Suero, Patent Examiner at the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Mexico
The video demonstrates how every innovation begins with a thought, and that behind every patent application lies the rigorous work of an examiner. Patent examiners ensure that what is new is recognized and what is useful is protected, transforming ideas into patents that change lives and communities.
Second place: Our Jianghu "Martial Arts World"
By Cai Ying, Aspiring IP Examiner & New Media Editor at China Intellectual Property News, China
From the perspective of a patent examiner, the video combines martial arts with IP to work through the triple narrative of "fantasy-reality-perception". It conveys how patent examination protects the dream of innovation. The video highlights the heroism in IP examination as a group of "protectors hidden behind patent documents" rigorously work to protect innovation for the greater good.
Third place: Shaping Brands, The Examiner’s Pride
By Clara Tumwine, Trademark Examiner at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda
Clara explains how as a trademark examiner she takes immense pride every time a local brand she helped register grows into a household name, or when she witnesses a global brand secure protection in Uganda. She believes that IP examiners do not just register IP, but rather they quietly help build legacies, shape economies and define the future of business.
Fourth place: A Day in the Life of an IP Examiner
By Aruzhan Ulkhanova, Head of the Division on Examination of Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin at the Patent Office of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
Aruzhan presents a day in the life of an IP examiner, showing how IP supports business competitiveness and national development. From reviewing applications and guiding examiners to hosting webinars, consulting applicants, and engaging with entrepreneurs, she demonstrates how IP contributes to economic growth and strengthens the global reputation of Kazakhstan’s products.
Fifth place: The Silent Guardians: The Hidden Force Driving Innovation
By Hind Al-Mutairi, Patent Examination Specialist at the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, Saudi Arabia
The video reveals the hidden and vital role of patent examiners, who are often perceived as merely a procedural cog in the IP process. It explains how examiners are not just employees, but are the custodians of innovation and the catalysts of human progress. The video presents a hypothetical scenario of a world without IP examiners and the negative outcomes on society at large that would transpire.
The other finalists are:
Artificial Intelligence – Competitor or Tool?
By Vitaly Bodaev, Patent Examiner at the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Russian Federation
The video focuses on innovative achievements in artificial intelligence (AI) and their integration into the professional work of IP examiners. It examiners the key aspects of AI’s application as a tool for patent data analysis, IP monitoring, and automation of the development and protection of intellectual assets.
Examination – A Walk With The Public
By Indumathi G, An Aspiring IP Examiner, India
The video presents why the role of an examiner is key in ensuring a well-functioning IP system for the good of everyone everywhere, using an example of a trademark application. In the example, a trademark examiner travels with the public during the examination of an application for medication.
From Application to Decision: An Examiner’s Perspective in Colombia
By Alejandro Uribe Vargas, Trademark Examiner at the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia, Colombia
This video provides an overview of the trademark examination process in Colombia, following the path from the initial application to the final decision. It highlights the key steps, legal framework, and the role of the examiner in ensuring clarity, fairness, and protection of industrial property rights. Through this perspective, the video aims to showcase the importance of transparency and rigor in decision-making to strengthen confidence in the IP system.
Patents & Coffee
By Tomi Jukkola, Patent Examiner at the Finnish Patent and Registration Office, Finland
The video captures the behind-the-scenes of a patent examiner’s daily work, where coffee and hard work go side by side. Through a well-planned sequence of coffee breaks and database searches, the examiner diligently reviews hundreds of patent documents in a prior art search. After several cups of coffee, a breakthrough occurs: the so-called “innovative coffee pot” proves to be neither new nor inventive – an unfortunate outcome for the applicant, of course. The film concludes with a lighthearted reminder that behind a normal workday and every decision, there is always coffee.
Sometimes I See Absolute Prohibitions
By Marina Rubio Alberca, Trademark Examiner at the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, Spain
Marina and her colleague Patricia demonstrate in the video how after reviewing a lot of applications, one might start spotting absolute prohibitions everywhere. It also highlights that a valuable advice from colleagues can be essential for reaching the best possible examination results.
Frequently asked questions for the video competition
- Your video is in MP4 format and is between 30-90 seconds long.
- Your video may include audio narrative in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.
- Your video has not been published previously online or recognized and/or won an award in another competition.
- If your video features background music, you must supply proof of authorization to use such recordings.
- Your video must not violate any copyright, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, industrial designs, distinctive signs, contractual obligations, or any other IP rights, or other proprietary rights of any third party.
Further details are outlined in the rules [PDF] of the video competition.
A jury of experts from WIPO will review all entries to select a shortlist of the top 5 winning videos in line with established judging criteria. Videos will be judged according to their adherence to the theme, expression of the theme, originality, creativity, messaging and visual appeal, among others.
The winners will be announced on this video competition webpage and will be promoted via other digital platforms. All decisions of WIPO and the jury are final.
Feel free to contact us if you have other questions that you were unable to answer through the information available on this webpage.