The United Nations agency at Geneva that runs the global patent and brand registration systems
Background
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves innovators and creators, providing services that let them protect and promote their intellectual property across borders. It has 194 member states, which approve its strategic direction and activities at the annual meetings of the Assemblies. Its staff form the Secretariat, which carries out the programmes the member states approve. WIPO was established in 1967 and its headquarters are at Geneva, Switzerland. Some 250 non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations hold official observer status at WIPO meetings. WIPO runs the global filing systems known by the treaties behind them: the PCT as the international patent system, Madrid as the international trademark system, Hague for industrial designs, Lisbon for appellations of origin and geographical indications, and Budapest for the deposit of microorganisms. Its external offices are at Algiers, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing, Tokyo, Abuja, Moscow and Singapore.
In plain words
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization — The United Nations agency for intellectual property.
Secretariat WIPO Secretariat — The staff of the organization, who carry out what member states approve.
Observer status Official observer status — A seat at meetings without a vote, held by many NGOs and IGOs.