The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in cooperation with the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) and with the support of the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global), welcomed professionals from every region of the world to WIPO Headquarters in Geneva from 22 to 26 June 2026 for the in-person second phase of the International Patent Drafting Training Program.
For one week, WIPO Headquarters in Geneva became more than a training venue, it became a global classroom. Participants representing diverse legal systems, technical disciplines, cultures and innovation ecosystems worked side by side, united by a common objective: mastering the art and strategy of patent drafting. While their professional experiences reflected different jurisdictions and innovation landscapes, they quickly discovered a shared language rooted in precision, creativity and careful legal reasoning.
Learning by Doing
The week in Geneva marked a key milestone in the programme's eight-month learning journey, bringing participants together after months of online instruction for an intensive in-person learning experience. Through a combination of expert-led sessions, collaborative workshops and practical exercises, participants strengthened the skills needed to prepare high-quality patent applications capable of protecting inventions across different jurisdictions.
The programme followed a progressive, hands-on approach. Participants revisited the fundamentals of patent drafting before moving into increasingly advanced exercises covering inventive concepts, claim drafting, prior art analysis, drafting across different technical fields, international drafting strategies and patent enforcement through a mock infringement trial. Every exercise demonstrated that a single word can influence the scope of protection, affect future enforcement or determine the commercial value of an invention.
"The collaborative exercises taught me how to think about an invention from different perspectives. Learning alongside peers challenged my thinking and strengthened the critical thinking skills required for patent drafting."
Feny Pandya (Canada)
Working alongside internationally recognized patent attorneys, participants debated alternative claim formulations, refined specifications, analyzed prior art and explored drafting strategies across multiple technological fields. Each discussion encouraged them to think not only as technical experts, but also as strategic advisers capable of anticipating how inventions may be examined, licensed and enforced in different jurisdictions.
Questions rarely ended when a session concluded. Conversations continued during breaks, technical debates resumed over lunch, and participants enthusiastically exchanged perspectives from their own countries. The classroom extended far beyond the scheduled sessions, reflecting both the complexity of patent drafting and the commitment of participants to mastering it.
"The in-person week in Geneva is a unique, hands-on opportunity, both professionally and culturally. There are not many opportunities to meet so many highly qualified professionals from so many countries in one place." Natalie Vaisman (Israel)
Finding Innovation in Everyday Objects
One of the programme's most memorable exercises centered on an object found in kitchens around the world: a garlic crusher.
At first glance, the exercise appeared deceptively simple. Yet participants soon discovered that drafting patent claims for an everyday product demanded the same level of analytical thinking required for far more sophisticated technologies. Identifying inventive features, defining claim scope, distinguishing prior art and selecting precise language became exercises in strategic decision-making rather than simple description.
By the end of the exercise, participants found themselves viewing familiar objects through a different lens not simply as products, but as inventions whose value depends on carefully crafted intellectual property protection.
"The workshop discussions provided different insights into drafting strategies and helped me think about patents from multiple perspectives." Lana Idwaidar (Jordan)
Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems through a Community of Practice
The programme's greatest achievement was the community it created. Every discussion offered an opportunity to compare approaches across jurisdictions, explore different drafting philosophies and understand how patent professionals navigate common challenges within different legal frameworks. While innovation may emerge from different contexts, participants discovered that protecting it requires a common language built on precision, clarity and strategy.
Participants arrived as professionals representing different countries, institutions and legal systems. They left as part of a growing international network connected by a shared commitment to protecting innovation and helping inventors translate ideas into impact.
"The IPDTP is a gift to aspiring and practicing IP professionals. The cohort transformed the learning experience, not only through networking, but by challenging how we think. Learning happened not only from the instructors, but with peers, creating a safe space to share ideas, make mistakes and grow." Paulo Luis Lozano (The Philippines)
"This is one of the best programmes in the world for learning patent drafting and building an international professional network." Mufthie Mohamed Nusaike (Ghana)
While the programme focused on drafting patent applications, its broader impact extends much further.
High-quality patent drafting contributes to stronger intellectual property systems, facilitates technology transfer, improves legal certainty for innovators and investors, and ultimately supports the commercialization of new technologies. By strengthening the capabilities of patent professionals from around the world, the programme contributes to more effective national and regional innovation ecosystems while reinforcing international cooperation in intellectual property.