Theory and practice of intellectual property
№ 3 / 2026

ISSN (Print) 2308-0361
ISSN (Online) 2519-2744

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33731/tpip.2026.3.2

Submitted     2026-07-02
Accepted      2026-07-17
Published      2026-09-10

The place and role of WIPO in the formation of international treaty regulation of intellectual property

Dmytro Balas
PhD Student,
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5760-2701

Abstract
This article examines the place and role of the WIPO in the development of international treaties governing intellectual property rights. It identifies the principal bodies of the Organization that serve as centres of law-making and forums for intergovernmental negotiations, while highlighting the fundamental differences in their functions and modes of operation. The study primarily focuses on the process of drafting and negotiating treaty provisions through the analysis of selected WIPO agreements adopted over the past two decades. It identifies the main challenges affecting effective treaty-making under the auspices of the Organization, particularly the need to reconcile the interests of States with differing levels of economic and technological development, while also examining examples and prospects for overcoming these obstacles. Attention was drawn to the law-making efforts and achievements of other international organizations in the field of intellectual property. The article concludes that WIPO is the central actor in international law-making within its area of competence, playing a leading role in the development of the international treaty framework in accordance with the evolving needs of the international community.

Keywords: international organization, international treaty, law-making, intellectual property, diplomatic conference

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