Global Voices Celebrate the Power and Protection of Music on World Intellectual Property Day 2025

World Intellectual Property Day 2025 brings into focus the essential relationship between music and intellectual property (IP) rights, as voices from across the globe underscore the importance of protecting creators and their work.

Solange Cesarovna, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the Cabo Verde Music Society, reflected in a 2025 interview with WIPO Magazine on the parallels between assembling a great musical team and the need for dedicated efforts in managing intellectual property. "When we create a song, we want to put together the best team. In the same way, we need to put our best efforts towards managing our intellectual property," she said.

The fundamental nature of music as a human right and cultural expression was emphasized by Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi, a CLIP Champion, in a 2015 WIPO Magazine interview. Awadi stated, "Music provides peace of mind and is the expression of your soul, so for me music is a fundamental right. We artists have our rights – copyright and related rights – and these rights need to be respected by everyone, by consumers as well as the music industry at large."

Echoing the transformative power of music, a passionate tribute was offered: "Music is my life’s greatest gift, a force that drives me daily. Whether I am creating or performing, I rediscover its magic constantly. Music shapes emotions, inspires change, and brings us closer to our true selves. Every heart has been moved, healed, or awakened by its power. Its presence in our lives is undeniable, its impact unmistakable. For that reason, we must cherish and protect its creators at all costs."

Edwin Torres, co-founder of Freestyle La 72, a Colombian Youth Foundation, shared insights in a 2023 WIPO Magazine interview on how rap freestyle battles serve as a platform for youth empowerment. "A rhyme in the rap world is a rhythmic sequence of words that is pleasing to listen to, and it takes practice. We encourage young people to take part in the battles, because even if they don't win, they get a chance to practice, to gain confidence and develop their creativity. We learn freestyle by doing it," Torres explained.

The evolving role of creators as entrepreneurs was highlighted by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus in a 2020 interview with WIPO Magazine. He noted, "Today, creators need to be entrepreneurs with a vision of how their work can transcend different forms of entertainment."

Addressing accessibility and inclusivity in copyright, Stevie Wonder, American singer-songwriter and United Nations Messenger for Peace, spoke at the 2010 WIPO Assembly about balancing authors’ rights with the needs of people with print disabilities. He advocated for a protocol facilitating the easy import and export of copyright materials to enable broader literacy access, stating, "While I know that it is critical not to act to the detriment of the authors who labor to create the great works that enlighten and nourish our minds, hearts and souls, we must develop a protocol that allows the easy import and export of copyright materials so that people with print disabilities can join the mainstream of the literate world."

These diverse perspectives from artists and advocates across continents illustrate the multifaceted importance of intellectual property in the music sector. They affirm that respecting and managing IP rights is not only vital for sustaining creativity but also for empowering communities and ensuring equitable access to cultural works worldwide.

World Intellectual Property Day 2025 thus serves as a global reminder of the power of music and the imperative to protect the rights of those who create it.