WIPO Director General Daren Tang concluded a three-day visit to Spain on November 28, 2025, focusing on AI's impact on the music industry, piracy challenges facing creators and intellectual property (IP) frameworks for high-performance and quantum computing research.
Mr. Tang met with Mr. Ernest Urtasun Domènech, Minister of Culture, and collective management organizations, including the Sociedad General de Autores y Editores (SAGE) [General Society of Authors and Publishers], the Sociedad de Artistas Intérpretes o Ejecutantes de España (AIE) [Society of Performing Artists of Spain], the Sociedad Española de Derechos de Autor (SEDA) [Spanish Copyright Society], and the Asociación de Gestión de Derechos Intelectuales (AGEDI) [Intellectual Property Rights Management Association].
They discussed the critical role of IP in protecting Spain's creative economy - from classical composers like Manuel de Falla to contemporary artists such as Rosalía. Discussions centered on combating piracy, navigating AI's emerging impacts on music and copyright and leveraging IP to drive economic growth while ensuring benefits reach both creators and society.
Other Engagements in Madrid and Barcelona included:
- Met with Mr. Jordi Hereu Boher, Minister of Industry and Tourism, to explore Spain’s innovation-driven economy, emphasizing the role of IP in supporting startups, SMEs and technology commercialization.
- Discussed Spain's role in multilateral IP cooperation and AI governance with Mr. Diego Martínez Belio, State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs.
- Visited Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) to examine IP considerations in high-performance and quantum computing research, including patentability and collaboration frameworks.
- Spoke at the III European Industrial Property Forum (Andema/SPTO), advocating for strengthened IP enforcement, innovative IP financing and inclusive IP systems to boost European competitiveness and boost Europe's scientific, technological and creative strengths for future growth.
- Engaged with Andema members including Inditex, ISDIN, Mahou-San Miguel and Grupo Hotusa on strategic use of IP for industrial growth.