WIPO: The Organs, Articles 6 to 10, 12 and 13

In one line

WIPO has four organs, the General Assembly, the Conference, the Coordination Committee and the International Bureau, and each Union keeps its own assembly beside them.

In exam wording: Articles 6 to 9 of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization establish the General Assembly, the Conference, the Coordination Committee and the International Bureau headed by the Director General, Article 10 governs the headquarters, and Articles 12 and 13 the legal status of the Organization and its relations with other organisations.

Article 6: the General Assembly

Composition. Article 6(1)(a): the General Assembly consists of the States party to this Convention which are members of any of the Unions.

Article 6(1)(b): the Government of each State is represented by one delegate, who may be assisted by alternate delegates, advisors and experts.

Article 6(1)(c): the expenses of each delegation are borne by the Government which appointed it.

Functions, Article 6(2). The General Assembly shall:

(i) appoint the Director General upon the nomination of the Coordination Committee;

(ii) review and approve the reports of the Director General concerning the Organization and give him all necessary instructions;

(iii) review and approve the reports and activities of the Coordination Committee and give it instructions;

(iv) adopt the biennial budget of expenses common to the Unions;

(v) approve the measures proposed by the Director General concerning the administration of the international agreements referred to in Article 4(iii);

(vi) adopt the financial regulations of the Organization;

(vii) determine the working languages of the Secretariat, taking into consideration the practice of the United Nations;

(viii) invite States referred to in Article 5(2)(ii) to become party to this Convention;

(ix) determine which States not members of the Organization and which intergovernmental and international non governmental organisations shall be admitted to its meetings as observers;

(x) exercise such other functions as are appropriate under this Convention.

Article 6(3): each State has one vote.

Article 6(4)(a): the General Assembly meets once in every second calendar year in ordinary session.

Article 6(3)(c) and (d): one half of the members constitutes a quorum, and decisions require two thirds of the votes cast, subject to specified exceptions.

Article 7: the Conference

Composition. Article 7(1)(a): the Conference consists of the States party to this Convention whether or not they are members of any of the Unions.

That single difference from Article 6 is the most examinable fact about the organs.

Functions, Article 7(2). The Conference shall:

(i) discuss matters of general interest in the field of intellectual property and may adopt recommendations relating to such matters, having regard for the competence and autonomy of the Unions;

(ii) adopt the biennial budget of the Conference;