The Paris Convention

June 21, 2008
Intellectual Property News and Interesting Facts

A Diplomatic Conference was convened in Paris in 1883, which ended with final approval and signature of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

The Paris Convention was signed by 11 States: Belgium, Brazil, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland.

When it came into effect on July 7, 1884, Great Britain, Tunisia and Ecuador had adhered as well, bringing the initial number of member countries to 14.

El Salvador, Guatemala and Ecuador later denounced the Paris Convention, only to join again in the 1990s. It was only during the first quarter of the 20th century and then particularly after World War II that the Paris Convention increased its membership more significantly.