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February 23, 2026

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WIPO Committees: background, next meetings and key issues to be considered

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The summaries for the WIPO committees IGC, ACE, SCT, SCP, CDIP and SCCR are now available. These reports bring together background, next meeting dates, draft agendas and key issues to be considered, providing a structured overview of ongoing discussions across different areas of intellectual property. IGC The IGC continues to work towards international legal instrument(s) ensuring balanced and effective protection of genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), following the adoption of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK treaty). Current discussions remain centered on addressing the misappropriation of TK and TCEs through the IP system, and the recognition of rights grounded in customary law of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). Additional issues include the creation of new or adapted IP protection mechanisms of a collective nature, possible disclosure requirements in patent applications, and the degree of flexibility and policy space for national implementation versus minimum binding standards.  ACE Key issues include the exchange of national experiences on public campaigns aimed at fostering respect for IP, consideration of national policies and enforcement mechanisms, and presentation of training programs supported by WIPO. Discussions also address legislative assistance, avoidance of misuse of enforcement procedures, experiences related to physical and digital forms of infringement, challenges faced by SMEs, application of AI tools, and collaborative approaches and information-sharing practices, alongside discussions related to biopiracy and the impact of intellectual property infringement in the biotechnology sector. SCT Current discussions address trademark protection, including country names and geographical names of national significance in the domain name system, as well as industrial designs, including graphical user interfaces, icons and typefaces, and their potential impact on innovation. In the field of geographical indications, discussions consider developments related to existing systems and broader implications such as sustainability and rural development, while emerging digital issues include information sessions on trademarks in the metaverse and NFTs. SCP Key issues include exceptions and limitations to patent rights, covering experimental use, prior use, regulatory approval, exhaustion of rights, and additional exceptions related to farmers, breeders and private and non-commercial use. Discussions on the quality of patents address patentability criteria, opposition systems and examination practices, including artificial intelligence, while patents and health discussions focus on patent information and flexibilities in facilitating access to medicines and related technologies. Additional topics include confidentiality of communications, transfer of technology and differing views on patent harmonization. CDIP Recent discussions include a project on the use of intellectual property to support sports development and proposals addressing cross-border counterfeit trade, cultural expression and climate resilience, raising questions related to flexibilities, safeguards and alignment with the Committee’s mandate. Broader discussions reflect divergences regarding the scope of the Committee’s work, including traditional knowledge, climate and cultural industries. SCCR Key issues include ongoing discussions on a potential broadcasting treaty, limitations and exceptions with differing views on possible international instruments, and proposals related to copyright in the digital environment, including artificial intelligence and remuneration for digital uses. Discussions also address the relationship between copyright and AI training, including permitted uses, the role of exceptions and conditions under which remuneration may be required. Full reports

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SCCR: Background, next meeting and key issues to be considered

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STANDING COMMITTEE ON COPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS (SCCR) Background “The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) was set up in the 1998-1999 biennium to examine substantive law topics in the field of copyright and related rights. The Committee includes all member states of WIPO and/or of the Berne Union; and, as observers, certain member states of the United Nations (UN) that are non-members of WIPO and/or the Berne Union, as well as many intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations”. The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) has traditionally focused on two standing agenda items: the protection of broadcasting organizations and limitations and exceptions. Discussions on broadcasting date back to 1998, while work on limitations and exceptions has been ongoing since 2004, addressing areas such as libraries, archives, museums, education, research, and persons with disabilities. In parallel, discussions on copyright in the digital environment have expanded, including issues related to artificial intelligence and remuneration for online uses.  Other topics, such as artist resale rights and the rights of theatre directors, remain on the agenda but receive limited attention. Next Meeting (Forty-Seventh Session): Date: December 1 to December 5, 2025 Website: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=88928 Agenda (SCCR/47/1): Key Issues: References: 

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CDIP: Background, next meeting and key issues to be considered

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COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (CDIP) Background “The Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) was established by the WIPO General Assembly in 2007 with a mandate to: develop a work-program for implementing the 45 adopted Development Agendarecommendations; monitor, assess, discuss and report on the implementation of all recommendations adopted; and for that purpose to coordinate with relevant WIPO bodies; and discuss IP- and development-related issues as agreed by the Committee, as well as those decided by the General Assembly.” The creation of the CDIP was strongly influenced by the Group of Friends of Development. Despite the number of projects developed under the CDIP, only a limited number have focused specifically on flexibilities, indicating an imbalance in the current scope of activities. The thirty-fifth session of the CDIP (November 17–21, 2025) reviewed progress on the Development Agenda, evaluated ongoing projects, and considered new proposals.  Developing countries emphasized the role of the CDIP as a central forum for development-related issues, including access, equity, and the protection of traditional knowledge, while other Members supported a more limited scope of activities. Next meeting (Thirty-Seventh Session): Date: November 16 to November 20, 2026 Website: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=89950 Agenda not yet available in the website. Key Issues References:

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SCP: Background, next meeting and key issues to be considered

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STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE LAW OF PATENTS (SCP) Background According to WIPO, “the SCP was created in 1998 to serve as a forum to discuss issues, facilitate coordination and provide guidance concerning the progressive international development of patent law.  By dealing with clusters of interlocking issues rather than working on single issues in isolation, the Committee provides member states with a forum for sharing information and working towards the development of the international patent system with an inclusive and coordinated approach. The Committee is composed of all member states of WIPO and/or the Paris Union. As observers, member states of the UN who are neither WIPO nor Paris Union members, as well as a number of accredited intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations may also attend the sessions of the SCP.” Next meeting (Thirty-Eighth Session) Date: November 2 to November 6, 2026 Website: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=89811 Draft Agenda (SCP/38/1 PROV.) Key Issues  Current discussions within the SCP address several thematic areas: References: 

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SCT: Background, next meeting and key issues to be considered

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WIPO STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE LAW OF TRADEMARKS, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (SCT) Background According to WIPO, “the SCT was created in 1998 to serve as a forum to discuss issues, facilitate coordination and provide guidance on the progressive development of international law on trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications, including the harmonization of national laws and procedures”. The scope of the Committee’s work includes discussions on trademark protection, including issues related to the use of country names and their treatment in digital environments such as the domain name system. It also addresses questions related to industrial designs, including emerging forms of design such as graphical user interfaces, icons, and typefaces. In the field of geographical indications, the SCT considers developments related to existing systems (e.g. the Lisbon System) and their broader implications. In addition, the Committee engages in discussions related to technical assistance, including support provided to Member States in strengthening institutional capacities. Its work also reflects broader considerations related to the balance between the interests of right holders and public policy objectives, including development, access, and the use of flexibilities. Next meeting (Forty-ninth session) Date: March 30 to April 2, 2026 Website: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=89768  Draft Agenda (SCT/49/1 PROV.3) Key Issues  References:

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ACE: Background, next meeting and key issues to be considered

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENFORCEMENT (ACE) Background The Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) was established by the WIPO General Assemblies in 2002 with a mandate focused on technical assistance and coordination in the field of intellectual property enforcement. Its mandate expressly excludes norm-setting activities. The Committee’s work centers on cooperation with public and private actors, the exchange of information, the promotion of awareness, and the organization of training activities at national and regional levels. “Within the framework of recommendation 45 of the WIPO Development Agenda, the ACE focuses on: coordinating with public and private organizations to combat counterfeiting and piracy; public education; assistance; coordination to undertake national and regional training programs for all relevant stakeholders and; exchange of information on enforcement issues.”  Next meeting (Eighteenth session) Date: June 2 to June 4, 2026 Website: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=90608  Draft Agenda (WIPO/ACE/18/1 PROV.) Key Issues The ACE agenda includes issues such as the following:  References:

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IGC: Background, next meeting and key issues to be considered

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INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND GENETIC RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOLKLORE (IGC) Background The IGC is an ad hoc body with a renewable two-year mandate. Since its establishment in 2000, the IGC has worked towards international legal instrument(s) ensuring balanced and effective protection of genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). In 2024, the IGC led the adoption of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK treaty), which establishes a mandatory disclosure requirement in patent applications concerning the origin or source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. It will enter into force three months after fifteen eligible ratifications or accessions.  Following this outcome, the IGC continues text-based negotiations on international legal instrument(s) for the protection of TK and TCEs, primarily based on documents WIPO/GRTKF/IC/49/4 and WIPO/GRTKF/IC/49/5. Developing Countries, Like-Minded (African Group, Asia-Pacific Group, GRULAC, Pacific Islands Group) support a legally binding international instrument(s) on TK and TCEs, advocate minimum binding elements applicable to all Parties, call for a diplomatic conference by 2027, emphasize the continued integration of GR issues to support GRATK ratification and implementation, and encourage ratification of the GRATK Treaty to deliver tangible benefits to IPLCs.  Developed countries (Group B, European Union, CEBS Group, United States, Japan, Switzerland, Republic of Korea) prefer further dialogue and evidence-based exchanges, support non-binding, measures-based outcomes with multiple national options, seek to preserve broad policy space and limit normative scope, favor non-normative treatment of GR issues, do not support committing to a timeline for a diplomatic conference. Next meeting (Fifty-second session) Date: March 4 to March 13, 2026 Website: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=89810  Draft Agenda (WIPO/GRTKF/IC/52/1 PROV.): Key issues to be considered:  Negotiations continue to address, inter alia: References:

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