The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School (LBS) have jointly published the second edition of the World Intangible Investment Highlights (WIIH). The report reveals that intangible investments including software, intellectual property, R&D and brands grew 3.7 times faster than tangible investments during 2008-2024. The report, covering 27 economies, found total intangible investment reached $7.6trn in 2024. The study highlights measurement gaps in national accounting frameworks affecting over 60% of intangible assets, impacting policy development and business valuations.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced that the 13th edition of the Nice Classification will take effect on 1 January 2026. The Nice Classification is the international system used to classify goods and services for the purposes of trademark registration, and is updated every three years. The new edition includes changes to the classification of certain goods and services, including the transfer of some items to different classes. It will apply to all new applications received by offices of origin on or after 1 January 2026, as well as to applications received by WIPO on or after that date following the expiry of the two-month time limit under Article 3(4) of the Madrid Protocol. Existing international trademark registrations dated before 1 January 2026 will not be reclassified.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced amendments to the Regulations Under the Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement, effective 1 July 2026, to introduce the ability to record and update information relating to the creator of an industrial design in the International Register. The amendments allow applicants to record a creator’s name and address where none was previously included and update previously recorded details, using mandatory form DM/10, subject to fees of 144 Swiss francs for one international registration and 72 Swiss francs for each additional registration.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced the composition of its Mediation and Arbitration Advisory Committee for the 2025-2027 term. This informal consultative body comprises selected high-profile WIPO Mediators and Arbitrators who will advise on policy matters related to WIPO's mediation and arbitration services. The committee members, appointed for a three-year term, will also contribute as faculty in WIPO Center workshops and events. The diverse membership reflects a balance of IP and technology expertise, practice sizes, geographical representation, languages, and gender. This initiative underscores WIPO's commitment to enhancing its alternative dispute resolution services in the intellectual property sphere.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced that the UK’s ratification of the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty shall be extended to the territory of Gibraltar. WIPO’s Director General notified the deposit on 2 March 2022 and the declarations entered into force on 17 May 2022.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced that the Assembly of the Hague Union has decided to freeze the application of the Hague Act (1960) effective 1 January 2025. From this date, the Hague System will exclusively operate under the Geneva Act (1999) for new international applications and designations. WIPO has clarified that renewals and changes to existing Hague Act (1960) designations will remain possible. Additionally, amendments to the Administrative Instructions, including new requirements for graphical disclaimers, will come into force on the same date. WIPO also noted that the last designations under the previously frozen London Act (1934) will expire on 30 December 2024.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center has issued a note on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in WIPO alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. The note confirms that AI tools may be used to support mediation, arbitration, expedited arbitration and expert determination, provided that such use complies with party agreements, the WIPO Rules and applicable confidentiality obligations. It further emphasises that the integrity and independence of proceedings must be preserved and that human judgment and accountability must remain central, with participants retaining full responsibility for the accuracy, confidentiality and any AI-generated output.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Interchange (AIII), a new initiative to promote expert dialogue on IP and AI, focusing on technical and operational issues. Discussions will address areas, including facilitating access to data at scale, identification and attribution standards, watermarking, fingerprinting, rights management and the use of AI for IP enforcement and infrastructure. To support this work, WIPO has established a Technical Exchange Network comprising over 90 experts across multiple countries. The network will initially undertake a mapping exercise of existing copyright infrastructure and the technical challenges arising from the intersection of AI and the creative economy. Its findings will inform the identification of priority areas for further work. The first annual public meeting of the AIII is scheduled for 2 October 2026, where Member State representatives and stakeholders will provide input on the Technical Exchange Network’s progress and findings.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched a survey running until 30 April 2025 targeting international trademark registration holders and representatives. The survey examines instances of bad faith, central attack, and cancellation grounds related to basic mark cessation within the Madrid System. Commissioned by the Working Group on Legal Development of the Madrid System following its October 2024 session, the survey results will inform September's Working Group discussions. WIPO is conducting a parallel survey among IP offices of Madrid System members.

The World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO AMC) has announced the 2025 WIPO ADR Young Article Competition, inviting registered members of WIPO ADR Young to submit articles on the theme ‘Designing a Dispute Resolution Procedure for IP Disputes in AI Model Training’. The competition seeks to address the challenges of resolving intellectual property disputes arising from artificial intelligence model training through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) frameworks. Articles must be original works, adhere to a maximum word count of 1,500 words and include a mandatory disclosure of any AI-generated content. Prizes include certificates of achievement for the top essays and scholarships for WIPO Academy Distance Learning courses. A panel of experts will evaluate submissions based on innovation, feasibility, clarity and depth of understanding in intellectual property, technology and ADR. The deadline for submissions is 31 July 2025.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched a survey to determine whether offices of designated Madrid System members should be required to issue a national or regional certificate when granting protection or renewing an international trade mark registration. The survey also investigates the potential practical advantages of such a requirement. Commissioned by the working group on legal development of the Madrid System following its September 2025 session, the survey’s findings will inform discussions during the working group meeting in October 2026. The survey will close on 24 April 2026.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has published the organisation’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) highlights of 2023. The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO AMC) has reported that it helped to resolve 679 intellectual property (IP), innovation, and technology disputes, a 24% increase from 2022. The institution covered disputes from business sectors such as creative industries (collective management, video games, esports, software), ICT (FRAND, telecom), and life sciences (biotechnology and pharmaceuticals).