WIPO IP Moot Court Competition 2027: Applications Open for Law Students Worldwide
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is inviting applications for the 2027 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition, an international opportunity for law students aged 35 and under to develop practical intellectual property (IP) law skills and compete against university teams from around the world. Applications are open from October 12 to November 6, 2026.
The competition offers participants an opportunity to strengthen their legal research, written advocacy, oral argument and analytical skills while engaging with complex intellectual property disputes. The eight highest-performing teams will advance to the international finals in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 8 to 10, 2027.
The 2027 edition will focus on the rapidly evolving field of live streaming, examining the intersection of innovation, intellectual property rights and online enforcement.
About the WIPO IP Moot Court Competition
The WIPO IP Moot Court Competition is a simulated legal proceeding in which participating teams address intellectual property issues arising from a hypothetical case. Students prepare written submissions and present oral arguments before a panel of judges, applying legal principles to challenging questions involving intellectual property protection and enforcement.
Organised under WIPO’s broader commitment to youth empowerment and intellectual property education, the competition seeks to make IP law more accessible to young people and provide practical opportunities to apply their legal knowledge.
The initiative is particularly relevant to students interested in copyright, digital technologies, innovation, entertainment law, technology regulation and international intellectual property law.
Previous editions have explored emerging legal questions, including the relationship between artificial intelligence, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Indigenous heritage in 2025, as well as intellectual property disputes involving life-saving drone technology in 2026.
What Participants Will Gain
The competition offers more than an academic exercise. It provides an opportunity to develop skills that are valuable for future careers in legal practice, international organisations, research, policy development and technology-related regulation.
Key benefits include:
- Practical advocacy experience: Develop written legal arguments and present oral submissions in a simulated courtroom environment.
- Advanced legal research: Analyse complex intellectual property questions and apply relevant legal principles to hypothetical facts.
- International exposure: Engage with students, judges and intellectual property experts from different jurisdictions.
- Professional networking: Build connections with members of the international intellectual property community.
- Career development: Strengthen legal reasoning, critical thinking, communication and professional presentation skills.
The competition also encourages students to engage with emerging issues at the intersection of intellectual property law and digital innovation.
Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open to university teams comprising law students aged 35 and under. Interested students should consult the official application guidelines and competition rules to confirm the precise eligibility requirements, team composition requirements and supporting documentation.
Participation involves a competitive video application process. Applicants must submit the materials specified in the official guidelines, including the required video submission. The declaration form must be duly signed before the application is completed.
Because only eight teams will progress to the international finals, applicants should prepare carefully and ensure that their submissions comply with all instructions.
Application Timeline for 2027
The tentative schedule for the 2027 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition is as follows. All times are given in Geneva time (GMT+1), according to WIPO’s published schedule.
- October 12 – November 6, 2026: Application period
- November 30, 2026: Announcement of selected teams
- December 10, 2026: Release of the moot problem
- December 17, 2026: Deadline for clarification requests
- January 15, 2027: Responses to clarification requests
- February 1, 2027: Deadline for written submissions
- March 1–12, 2027: Online rounds
- June 8, 2027: Quarter-finals in Geneva
- June 9, 2027: Semi-finals in Geneva
- June 10, 2027: Grand finale and awards ceremony
Applicants should check the official WIPO website for any schedule updates.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Why Law Students Should Consider This Opportunity
The WIPO IP Moot Court Competition provides an opportunity for aspiring lawyers to move beyond theoretical study and engage with the practical challenges of international intellectual property law. As digital platforms and live-streaming technologies continue to evolve, questions concerning copyright, online distribution, enforcement and innovation are becoming increasingly important.
For students seeking careers in intellectual property law, technology policy, international legal practice or academia, participation can provide valuable experience and international professional exposure.
Eligible law students should review the application requirements promptly and prepare their submissions before the November 6, 2026 deadline.
Opportunity: WIPO IP Moot Court Competition 2027
Host organisation: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Eligible applicants: University law students aged 35 and under, subject to the official eligibility rules
Application deadline: November 6, 2026
International finals: June 8–10, 2027
Finals location: Geneva, Switzerland
Application fee and funding: Consult the official competition documents for details.
