Deadline: November 30, 2025
Applications are open for the WIPO IP Moot Court Competition 2026. This year’s moot problem deals with industrial property law and will address areas such as patents, trademarks, industrial designs and trade secrets. Topics may cover jurisdictional questions, scope of protection by IP rights, remedies available to the parties, and cross-border enforcement.
Participants will test their advocacy skills by submitting written arguments and presenting both sides of a case before a panel of judges. The competition has four phases: video applications, written submissions, online oral rounds, and in-person finals in Geneva, Switzerland. Eight teams will qualify for the international-stage, scheduled for June 24-26, 2026.
Eligibility
Open to law students under the age of 35 who are enrolled at universities in World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Member States. Participating teams will be selected based on video applications, submitted by the application deadline.
To be considered, a video must meet the following requirements:
- The video should not exceed 5 minutes in length. Any content beyond the five-minute mark will not be reviewed.
- Both members of the team must participate in the video.
- The video must include the six elements listed.
Video Submission Requirements
Teams are required to prepare a video of no longer than 5 minutes, responding to one of the following two questions based on the following scenario:
A pharmaceutical company and a national space agency co-develop the “Smart Space Sipper”, a squeezable medicine pouch designed for astronauts to safely take liquid medication in zero gravity. Its contoured body prevents spillage, its one-way valve stops liquid from floating loose, and its sleek, spaceship-like curves are marketed on Earth as part of a futuristic wellness brand. They now seek industrial design protection over the pouch’s shape.
- Question 1: What is your assessment as to whether these co-developers will be able to obtain protection for the Smart Space Sipper using design rights and what features could be protected?
- Question 2: If protection by design can be obtained, who should be recognized as the holder of design rights in the Smart Space Sipper—the pharmaceutical company, the national space agency, or both as joint creators, and on what legal basis?
Your video response should reflect your knowledge of industrial property law, your ability to frame legal issues with clarity, and your capacity to advance arguments with precision and persuasiveness.
Evaluation Criteria
The video submissions will be judged on the following criteria:
- Clarity and structure of argument (20%) – Logical organization and coherence of presentation.
- Understanding of legal issues (30%) – Depth of knowledge of industrial property law and its applications.
- Persuasiveness (20%) – Effectiveness in convincing the judges of the team’s position.
- Use of legal frameworks and authorities (20%) – Appropriateness and accuracy of references to laws, treaties, and case law.
- Professionalism and presentation (10%) – Courtroom-style delivery, confidence, and teamwork.
Application
Review the Application Guidelines for all the relevant information, before submitting your application.
This registration form must be duly completed and signed by the Dean of Students or Faculty representative of the participating university or law school, the team coach, and the two team members. It records the details of the team and acknowledges the terms and conditions of participation. Fill in the form digitally, sign manually, scan the document and send via email to [email protected]
Click here to download the form
For more information, visit WIPO IP Moot Court Competition.
