World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 140 single DELEGATIONs

WIPO is a UN specialized agency responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property rights worldwide and facilitating cooperation among its member states to develop international intellectual property laws and regulations. Not only does WIPO administer various treaties and conventions related to intellectual property, but it also provides services such as arbitration and mediation to resolve disputes related to intellectual property rights. In this committee, Topic A is intellectual property sharing in times of crisis. While intellectual property plays a crucial role in driving innovation and promoting economic development, during times of crisis, barriers to accessing these essential innovations can hinder the global response and exacerbate humanitarian challenges. Balancing the interests of innovation with the imperative to ensure equitable access to essential technologies and medicines is a central challenge in IP sharing during crises. Topic B is the protection of literary and artistic works, as copyrights and other intellectual property frameworks provide authors the only authority over their creations, encouraging and rewarding artistic endeavors. By preventing plagiarism and illegal dissemination, protecting intellectual property guarantees financial rewards for authors and promotes cross-cultural communication. Without protection for these rights, cultural contributions are diminished. 

Chairs: Luke castro & Alex Verbesey

TOPICS

Topic A: Intellectual Property Sharing in Times of Crisis

Topic B: The Protection of Literary and Artistic Works

lEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Evaluate the balance between fostering innovation and guaranteeing fair access to vital technologies and medications in times of crisis. 

  • Explore the broader implications of inadequate intellectual property protection on cultural contributions.

  • Recognize the vital role of intellectual property law in the production of goods and services.

about the chairs

Luke Castro is a member of Georgetown University’s class of 2027 studying in the College of Arts and Sciences, where he plans to major in Government or Economics (or maybe both?). He is from Fairfax, Virginia, and began his interest in Model UN in his junior year of high school when he attended NAIMUN that year with his high school delegation. He has been doing Model UN ever since, including with Georgetown’s own Model UN team, and also staffed last year’s NAIMUN. Besides Model UN, Luke is a member of Georgetown’s Philodemic Society and does volunteer work at the Georgetown Center for Social Justice, especially with HOMES. In his free time, he loves playing board games with his friends, reading about history or politics, and exploring Georgetown and DC. He hopes that his experience with both the delegate and staffer side as well as his love for the practice of Model UN will make this committee a great and memorable experience for all of you.

Alex Verbesey is a member of Georgetown's University class of 2026, studying Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. Alex is from McLean VA, and is an alumnus of Georgetown Day School. During High School, Alex attended NAIMUN all four years and was also head delegate for the delegation during his senior year. This will be Alex’s third time staffing naming along with his 7th year in a row attending NAIMUN! Besides NAIMUN, Alex is part of Hoya Developers, Hoya Blue, and Georgetown Blockchain. In his free time, he enjoys coding, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and playing basketball and chess. He can't wait to meet all of you!