The Annual Conference of the WIPO Joint Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property took place on May 21, 2026, at the University of Turin, Campus Luigi Einaudi, Italy.
Jointly organized by WIPO, the University of Turin (UniTo), the Turin School of Management (SAA), and the Consortium for Research and Permanent Education (COREP), the conference brought together leading international scholars and practitioners under the theme "30 Years from the Adoption of the WIPO Internet Treaties."
A Milestone for the LL.M. Program and International Copyright
The conference marked the conclusion of the residential phase of the WIPO Joint LL.M. in Intellectual Property. It also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).
More than 47 participants attended the conference in person and virtually. Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Valeria Marcenò, Dean of the Department of Law at the University of Turin; Mr. Victor Owade, Head, Academic Institutions and Executive Program, WIPO Academy; Mr. Davide Caregnato, Director of SAA; and Prof. Alessandro Cogo, Scientific Director of the Master in Intellectual Property.
Ms. Michele Woods, Director of the WIPO Copyright Law Division, set the stage with an introductory overview of the treaties' impact and evolution.
Objectives of the Conference
The conference provided participants and alumni of the program with a comprehensive update on the WIPO Internet Treaties since their adoption in 1996, examining both their relevance and the new challenges in the face of rapid technological development, particularly at the intersection of digital rights management, platform governance, and artificial intelligence.
What Did the Conference Address?
The first session was chaired by Mrs. Silvia Vitrò of the Supreme Court of Cassation, featured presentations by Prof. James Parish of King's College London, Dr. Bryan Khan of University of Turin, and Dr. Konrad Glishinski of Jagiellonian University. The session addressed foundational copyright topics including material fixation for reproductions, the rights of phonogram producers, and digital rental and lending rights.
The second session, chaired by Prof. Maurizio Borghi of the University of Turin, addressed emerging challenges through contributions by Prof. Giuseppe Sanseverino of Universitas Mercatorum, Prof. Enrico Bonadio of City St. George's University of London, Prof. Caterina Sganga of Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, and Dr. Guillaume Henry of Slezper Henry Naumann Avocats, Discussions covered topics ranging from audiovisual performers' protection, technological protection measures to the implications of AI for communication to the public and a possible presumption of use for AI training.
About the program
The WIPO-UNITO LL.M in IP is a one-year international program managed by SAA and COREP. The program has operated for more than 20 years and has trained more than 800 graduates from 107 countries.
Open to both professionals and academics, it covers traditional IP law, patents, copyright, trademarks, and designs, as well as emerging areas like biotechnology, AI, and digital innovation, using a comparative and multidisciplinary approach.
Applications for the 2026–27 edition of the program are now open and will close on July 30, 2026.