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Every year, on March 26, World Intellectual Property Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental impact that intellectual property (IP) rights have in promoting innovation and economic growth. For 2025, “let’s turn up the volume” to celebrate the theme “IP and music: Feel the beat of IP”. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) invites us to reflect on how IP rights support artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the music world and beyond.

The 2025 statement, coordinated by the Property Rights Alliance and supported by 115 think tanks from 46 countries, highlights how music is a powerful global expressive force, and IP is the engine that ensures its vitality. Copyright, trademarks, and patents work together to protect, monetize, and give value to every note, every lyric, and every innovation. But WIPO’s message is even clearer: IP not only protects creativity, it amplifies it – through sectors and communities.

IP systems are crucial for transforming ideas into economic progress. Countries with strong IP protection frameworks achieve superior performance in terms of GDP, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This is confirmed by the 2024 International Property Rights Index (IPRI): only 16% of the world’s population lives in countries with the strongest systems, yet they generate over 60% of global output. Italy is among the countries that have seen the most significant improvements, moving from 46th to 36th place in the last two years.

The statement also contrasts the idea that IP hinders access. On the contrary, it enables the voluntary sharing of knowledge, promotes technology transfer, and encourages R&D – especially in sectors like healthcare. IP protections, far from hindering, fuel innovation and allow startups, researchers, and SMEs to develop and make life-saving solutions accessible.

Another key theme is the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Companies that own IP rights generate more value for their employees, are more ready to expand, and show greater long-term resilience. However, many SMEs fail to register their rights, leaving vast untapped potential. WIPO aims to bridge this gap through awareness campaigns, training, and accessible resources.

According to the international charter, “Intellectual property rights are essential for promoting innovation, economic growth, and cultural enrichment. They protect the creations of human ingenuity – inventions, artistic works, symbols – ensuring that creators can benefit from their work.” […] “A strong system of rights, including IP, is the foundation of a free and prosperous society. It incentivizes progress, protects freedom, and promotes economic development.”

In celebrating this day, we recognize the crucial importance of IP for our economies, our culture, and our future. From music to medicine, from technology to education, IP empowers creators to tackle global challenges. We are proud to support WIPO and our international partners in strengthening the global IP ecosystem.

Finally, music returns as the protagonist. From local DJs to major streaming platforms, IP enables creators to be heard and compensated. It protects originality and opens new paths for collaboration and innovative digital models. Music is the creative face of IP: creativity deserves recognition, and innovation is born from inspiration. WIPO invites us to “feel the beat” of IP – not just as legal protection, but as a driver of global progress.

*Lorenzo Montanari is the Executive Director of the Property Rights Alliance and Editor of the International Property Rights Index.