Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
The Paris Convention is a foundational intellectual property treaty established in 1883. It created the Union for the Protection of Industrial Property, which has 180 member countries as of 2024. The convention ensures fair and equal treatment for inventors and trademark owners across member states.
National Treatment and Priority Right
To encourage innovation and protect intellectual property, the convention guarantees "national treatment" for applicants in all member states. This means that foreign inventors receive the same benefits and legal protections as domestic ones. The "priority right" provision allows applicants to claim an earlier filing date in one country as the effective filing date in others, within specific timeframes.
Temporary Protection for International Exhibitions
The Convention also mandates temporary protection for goods displayed at international exhibitions. This allows inventors and trademark owners to showcase their creations without jeopardizing their intellectual property rights.
Mutual Independence of Patents and Trademarks
The convention establishes the mutual independence of patents and trademarks across member states. Applications for patents or trademarks are evaluated based on the national laws of each country, ensuring that protections and regulations are tailored to specific domestic contexts.
Administration and Revision
The Paris Convention is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It has undergone several revisions over time to adapt to technological advancements and legal developments. The most recent revision was in 1979, and the convention continues to evolve to protect and promote intellectual property rights globally.