A Brief Guide to the The Paris Convention
The Paris Convention
Formation of the Paris Convention:
Invention exhibitions were a relatively new type of event, which began in the 19th century as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The goal of these exhibitions were to show off new advances in technology to the public. Unfortunately, many foreign exhibitors refused to attend events such as these because they feared their ideas would be stolen and exploited in other countries. The International Exhibition of Inventions in Vienna in 1873 is the best example of this reluctance to show off great strides in technology, as many exhibitors did not attend the event for that very reason.
A constant fear of idea theft inspired the formation of the Paris Convention, a diplomatic conference held in Paris in 1880 and signed into affect in 1883. The Paris Convention helped people in one country obtain protection in other countries for their new ideas and creations, such as inventions, trademarks and industrial designs.
Although it emerged in only eleven countries in its inception, the Paris Convention had an influence that spread quickly throughout the world. Currently, there are 173 countries that have signed up as contracting States. The Paris Convention essentially became the solution to the growing problem of idea theft on a global scale and helping the spread of new ideas, while enforcing patent law across several countries. In the wake of the Paris Convention came the establishment of the Berne Convention