Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors (PIIPA) is an international non-profit organization that matches volunteer intellectual property (IP) professionals with public interest organizations, developing country governments, and individuals located in developing countries who are in need of IP assistance. At this event, attorneys who volunteer through PIIPA will share successful examples of their pro bono work in the IP field. These success stories will be used to illustrate the role IP can play in advancing the quality of human life and human development around the world.

IP laws will not work optimally to engender innovation, encourage information dissemination, and promote human development until everyone has opportunities to access the legal system and receive the benefits and protections of these laws. During the past few decades, spurred by the international trade regime, IP laws have been newly implemented in developing countries around the world. Unfortunately, IP knowledge and expertise has not yet spread rapidly to developing countries.

Attorneys, students, the public and other IP professionals are invited to attend this event to celebrate public interest IP efforts and to learn how they can volunteer their time and expertise to help alleviate the disparities in access that currently exist internationally in the IP system.