For almost 60 years, IP professionals from around the world have been flocking to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) annual assemblies. Against the backdrop of this proud history, this year there was a distinctly forward-looking and future-proofing flavor to the proceedings. Opening the event (which ran from September 30 to October 9), WIPO Director General Francis Gurry told delegates that “record demand for IP rights, driven by rapid technological changes, has created increased challenges for the administration of IP in the global economy.” He went on to point out that for the IP industry, technology can also provide the solution, and that “new tools were needed to assist.”

WIPO has absolutely hit the nail on the head. The transformative power of technology is a game-changer in almost all industry sectors, not least including IP. The pressure is on to adapt—and fast.