WIPO-Unige Summer School 2019
June 24 – July 5, 2019 (2 weeks)
Course description
The University of Geneva organized with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) the nineth edition of the WIPO-University of Geneva Summer School on Intellectual Property (Geneva, 24 June – 5 July 2019).
The Summer School took place during the first week (24 – 28 June 2019) at the WIPO headquarters, and during the second week (1 – 5 July 2019) at Unimail in the premises of the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva.
Photo : WIPO/Berrod
60 advanced students and young professionals, with diverse backgrounds (from law to biology), coming from more than 20 different countries attended the program.
During this year’s edition, the second IP researchers Europe Conference (IPRE) organised by the University of Geneva jointly with WIPO and the World Trade Organization (WTO) took place together with an ALUMNI event gathering more than 40 alummi from the WIPO-UNIGE Summer School on IP. Both events allowed in depth exchange between participants from the Summer School, scholars and alumni.
Summer School Objective:
The objective of the Summer School is to provide an opportunity for advanced students or young professionals to acquire deeper knowledge of Intellectual Property (IP), and to gain an appreciation of IP as a tool for economic, social, cultural and technological development and the role WIPO plays in the global administration of IP.
The Summer School program covers all main areas of IP (namely, patent law, trademarks, designs and copyright) through a pragmatic, interactive approach. Lecturers are IP experts at WIPO, the University of Geneva, or other institutions.
Photo : WIPO/Berrod
Eligibility requirements
Participation is not limited to law students. Students in other fields are also encouraged to apply.
Proficiency in English is required. All applicants are required to have successfully completed the WIPO distance learning General Course on Intellectual Property (http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/courses/distance_learning/) before the registration deadline. Please note that priority will be given to those who have completed the said course in the selection of participants.
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Geneva, accommodation and living expenses during their participation of the program.
Testimonials
Qingqing Jia – 2019
Highly recommend this program! As a practising lawyer in IP area, I find this program helpful and inspired. The topics cover all types of IPRs. The lectures not only explain basic theories but also discuss cutting-edge issues in IP area. The lecturers are international, experienced and knowledgeable. The classmates are friendly, diversed and passionate. Moreover, the city of Geneva is beautiful, historical and vibrant. This two-weeks learning left me a wonderful memory.
Pedro de Perdigao Lana – 2019
WIPO/UNIGE School on Intellectual Property was an absolutely unique experience and surely one of the most enriching course I've ever attended, probably the most important in terms of positive impacts to my future career and academic formation. It was outstanding not only in exposing theoretical and practical aspects of IP (and especially how WIPO approaches them), but also in getting to know a lot of interesting new people (lecturers, organizers and participants) from all over the world with diferent backgrounds and great insights about a wide diversity of subjects.
It’s palpable how much work, resources and energy were devoted by the organizers to this course. I'm very happy to have been part of it, and would surely recommend to anyone interested in IP, be them, among many other possibilities, lawyers, students, engineers, economists or government officials.
Axel Schiller – 2019
Without exaggeration, I can say the 2019 WIPO UNIGE Summer School on Intellectual Property has been one of the most positive, inspiring and insightful experiences of my life so far, and I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to take part in this exceptional training. Having originally trained in IP and then moved to scientific research, I was immensely happy to return to this exceptional field and to gain invaluable knowledge about the established international frameworks but, at the same time, the current trends and innovations in IP worldwide. Complemented with the opportunity to study at the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the University of Geneva and to learn from leading scholars, to attend an international IP research conference at the World Trade Organisation and to be part of an enthusiastic group of fellow students from all over the world, this Summer School by far exceeded the highest expectations I could have had. I’m taking home from the beautiful city of Geneva unforgettable memories, new knowledge and competencies in IP, and friends from around the globe. Thank you very much, WIPO and UNIGE!
Rita Franceschet – 2019
The WIPO-UNIGE Summer School on IP has been one of the most enriching and formative experiences in my lifetime. This Summer School distinguishes itself though its dynamic, extensive and top-flight courses in a wide range of IPRs and related aspects. The Summer School offers a fine-tuned combination of in-depth theoretical and practical insights, coupled with enriching exchanges among young professionals and experienced guest speakers from all around the world.
Lenka Petrova – 2019
Attending the WIPO-UNIGE Summer School on IP is an excellent and unique opportunity to meet with amazing lecturers, WIPO employees and IP lawyers. Beside that meeting and being with students from all over the world is very enriching experience. I especially appreciated the praxis-oriented approach of the Summer School.
Sviatlana Stotskaya – 2019
I would like to thank WIPO and UNIGE for the incredible opportunity to attend WIPO-UNIGE Summer School and II Researchers Europe Conference (IPRE) in June-July 2019. I came to Summer School to enrich my knowledge in Intellectual Property but after 2 weeks in Geneva I realized that not only lectures, class discussions, and a group project have allowed me to take a look from a different perspective at areas of IP that I had never explored before but also the school broadened my horizon and introduced to a geographically and professionally diverse community of truly inspiring people.
II Researchers Europe Conference covered a broad variety of IP-related topics, ranging from digital copyright challenges to e-health algorithms and intellectual property rights. I have been interested in these topics, and the conference was a great opportunity to hear insights from the prominent researchers. What made the conference even more exciting is that the second day of it was held at the historic place of the WTO headquarters. Also, I would like to thank for the excellent organization of our studying experience.
Tom Boakai Tombekai – 2019
My two weeks of intensive study at WIPO and the University of Geneva was quite a rewarding exposure and enlightenment to Intellectual Property issues as a young professional, I had the privilege of covering several cross-cutting issues in the innovation and creativity sector to include copyrights, trademark, artificial intelligence, traditional knowledge, designs, patents among others.
More interestingly, the multicultural environment of distinguished experts and enterprising students was a unique experience.
Vidit Deswal – 2019
My journey to Delhi to Geneva commenced with searching for Intellectual property Summer Schools. It was soon after I found the renowned Summer School offered by WIPO-UNIGE at Geneva and I instinctively decided to apply for it. The staff, behind the whole process, was extremely convivial and guided me with patience throughout the process of finding the best accommodations to providing all the necessary information on how to travel and where to eat in Geneva. During my two weeks spent at the Summer School, I had the pleasure of meeting brilliant and wonderful people from different professional backgrounds all over the world. It provided the participants with an excellent platform for sharing our perspective and knowledge related to the field of IP. WIPO-UNIGE Summer School at Geneva is a highly enriching experience that I recommend to anyone who's looking for nothing less than the best.
Levente Szegedi - 2018
Open-mindedness, cultural diversity, various academic and professional backgrounds among participants, top speakers, two venues, a well-organized programme, and the common interest in intellectual property all adds up and creates an inspiring environment for the amazing two week WIPO-UNIGE Summer School on IP.
Excellent opportunity to gain an overview of IP Law on an international level with a practical and global approach.
Oksana POPRUGA – 2018
The WIPO/UNIGE Summer School on IP has been a remarkable professional experience. Excellent entry point into the complicated and cross-cutting world of the IP. Good balance of birds-view background/case study material from around the world. Interaction with the fantastic Summer School team and outstanding speakers is an extra advantage versus the distance learning programmes. Highly recommended.
Mehek KAPOOR - 2018
Absolutely fantastic Summer Programme! Exchange of opinions, great discussions and group activities, excellent speakers! The UNIGE-WIPO Summer School is the perfect event to get a complete overview of the current International Intellectual Property Law and Policy!
Bunchai CHAMNANPRAI (Brandy) – 2018
WIPO-UNIGE IP Summer School gathers sharing knowledge, wider perspectives and unique contributions among enthusiastic participants and the team of experienced speakers and facilitators.
Grace AGUILAR -2017
Being part of the WIPO Summer School 2017 was an enriching experience as it allowed me to learn and discuss about all current IP issues with people from other countries who have different academic and professional backgrounds and exchange points of view with them. It was also an opportunity to know how IP is managed in other countries and on an international level.
Faculty & Staff
University of Geneva:
- Prof. Jacques de Werra, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
- Dr Yaniv Benhamou, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
- Hélène Bruderer, Coordinator, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
WIPO
- WIPO Summer school coordinator: summerschool.geneva(at)wipo.int
Schedule & Class
Download the schedule of the Summer School 2019
Download the schedule of IPRE 2019
Programs of previous editions of the WIPO-Unige Summer School are available at: https://www.unige.ch/droit/pi/summer-school/wipo-summer-school/