WIPO Supports Geneva International Music Competition

Geneva, April 29, 2003
Press Releases PR/2003/346

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is supporting the first spring concert of Les Amis du Concours de Genève, on Wednesday, April 30 at 20:00 at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. The concert features winners of the 2001 Geneva International Music Competition, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious music competitions, which attracts some 150 young musicians from more than 30 nationalities each year.

The musicians, which include Silvia Careddu (Italy/flute) Roland Kruger (Germany/piano), and the Terpsycordes Quartet (Bulgaria, Italy, and Switzerland), will perform works by Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Prokofiev. Details of the program are available at www.concoursgeneve.ch.

WIPO's sponsorship of this event is part of its on-going effort to raise public awareness about the relevance of the intellectual property system to creators, musicians and artists, as well as the general public. The intellectual property system enables talented individuals to secure a livelihood from their creativity and benefits the general public by permitting access to such enriching works and performances. Thanks to the intellectual property system, particularly the laws of copyright, many of the winners of this illustrious competition, which include world famous music personalities such as the late Sir Georg Solti, have been able to achieve great success in their recorded and live performances.

"The Geneva International Music Competition, and other similar competitions, play an extremely important role in recognizing and supporting the creative work of talented young musicians from around the world, " said Ms. Rita Hayes, WIPO Deputy Director General. "WIPO is delighted to support the organizers' efforts to nurture young musicians and to bring the work to a broader public audience," she added.

WIPO believes that copyright and its related rights which are associated with the production, dissemination and performance of artistic works, are essential to human creativity by giving creators incentives in the form of recognition and fair economic rewards. Under this system of rights, creators are assured that their works can be disseminated without fear of unauthorized copying or piracy. This in turn helps increase access to and enhances the enjoyment of culture, knowledge, and entertainment all over the world.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO +41 22 338 81 61/338 9547 or publicinf@wipo.int.