Bandar Seri Begawan, 27 November 2025 – The Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO) successfully hosted the World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) celebration 2025 on 26 and 27 November at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Attorney General’s Chambers, carrying this year’s global theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP.”
The event was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Muhammed Taib, the Honorable Attorney General and Registrar of Trade Marks, Patents, and Industrial Designs, who delivered the opening remarks and officiated the launch of the Creative Industry Database. A key initiative by BruIPO aimed at connecting and profiling local creators across various creative sectors in Brunei Darussalam.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour emphasised on Brunei Darussalam’s focus on music and the wider creative sector aligns with Wawasan 2035, which emphasises developing skilled, innovative people and supporting economic diversification. While creative industries across the region are growing rapidly, many local musicians and creators still face challenges such as limited visibility, difficulties monetising their work, and gaps in understanding their IP rights — leading some to seek opportunities abroad. These realities highlight the need to strengthen the domestic creative ecosystem so that local talent can thrive, be recognised, and be fairly rewarded. A vibrant sector requires not only training and talent development, but also, strong intellectual property systems that protect creative works and enable creators to build sustainable careers.
The two-day celebration brought together approximately 150 participants from professionals, experts, and enthusiast from the music and creative industries, including songwriters, composers, performers, producers, and representatives from government agencies, education institutions, and creative communities.
The programme featured a showcase of World IP Day competition entries, followed by a prize presentation and appreciation ceremony to recognize outstanding creative works and the valuable contributions of participants and partners who supported BruIPO’s initiatives.
A highlight of the event was the series of interactive sessions, including a fireside chat with local creatives, presentation from officers of BruIPO, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Radio Television Brunei and the Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as a special presentation by guest speakers from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The event concluded with an engaging panel discussion featuring local artists, who shared their personal experience and insight on IP, Music and the creative ecosystem which plays a role in shaping Brunei’s creative landscape.
Through this year’s celebration, BruIPO continue to raise awareness of the vital role of IP in protecting the works of creators and encourage greater appreciation for IP as a tool for empowering artists, promoting innovation, and strengthening the nation’s creative economy.
World Intellectual Property Day, observed globally on 26 April, is an initiative led by the WIPO to celebrate the role of IP in encouraging innovation and creativity. The annual celebration serves as a platform to promote understanding of how IP rights – such as copyright, trademarks, and related rights – contribute to building a sustainable creative economy.