World Intellectual Property Organization

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The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that administers international treaties and services related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property.

Geneva, Switzerland
wipo.int

About World Intellectual Property Organization

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva, Switzerland. It administers key international systems and treaties for protecting intellectual property (IP), including patents (PCT system), trademarks (Madrid System), industrial designs (Hague System), and dispute resolution services through the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. WIPO also offers IP-related publications, databases, and training programs to governments, companies, law firms, research institutions, and individual creators worldwide.

A WIPO-related charge on your bank or card statement typically arises from fees associated with an IP filing or service. Common reasons include international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), international trademark registrations or renewals under the Madrid System, international design filings via the Hague System, or fees for WIPO mediation, arbitration, or domain name dispute procedures. You may also see charges for WIPO publications, databases, or training course fees, as well as renewal fees or subsequent designations for existing IP rights. In some cases, there may be preliminary authorization holds or test charges when you submit an online payment form, which are reversed after your payment is finalized.

If you are unsure about a WIPO charge, start by checking recent IP filings, renewals, or dispute resolution cases you or your organization have filed through WIPO, as well as any online payments made via the WIPO website (wipo.int). Log into your WIPO user account or the specific system you used (ePCT, Madrid e-services, Hague eServices, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center case portal) to review payment confirmations and invoices. For unresolved questions, contact WIPO directly using the contact forms or phone numbers listed on wipo.int/contact; have your application number, case number, or invoice reference ready. Most billing issues—such as duplicate payments, incorrect amounts, or unclear descriptions—can be resolved by providing your payment receipt, date, and the last four digits of the card used.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to World Intellectual Property Organization.

  1. O.M.P.I / W.I.P.O GenÔøΩve C

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive a charge from WIPO after filing a patent application?

If you filed an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) using WIPO’s ePCT system or through a patent office that forwarded fees to WIPO, you will see WIPO charges for international filing, search, and handling fees. These amounts can be substantial and vary depending on the number of claims, pages, and selected authorities. You can verify the exact amounts in your ePCT account or on the fee sheet/invoice issued for your application, which is accessible via the ePCT portal on wipo.int.

What are typical WIPO charges for trademarks or designs, and why do the amounts vary?

Charges for trademarks (Madrid System) and industrial designs (Hague System) depend on the number of classes or designs, the contracting parties you designate, and whether the charge is for a new application, renewal, or subsequent designation. Typical card transactions may range from a few hundred to several thousand Swiss francs or the equivalent in your billing currency. The exact fee breakdown is detailed in the application form and in the payment confirmation or invoice available in your Madrid or Hague online services account on wipo.int.

Why do I see a small temporary or duplicate-looking WIPO charge on my card?

When you submit payment through a WIPO online form, your bank or card issuer may register a temporary authorization hold to confirm the card is valid. This can sometimes appear as a small or duplicated pending transaction. These holds are normally released automatically by your bank within a few business days and should not result in you being charged twice; you can confirm the final settled amount on your statement and by checking your WIPO payment receipt.

How can I cancel or stop recurring WIPO-related payments or renewals?

WIPO itself does not usually run automatic subscription-style charges, but renewal fees for international trademarks or designs may be paid via WIPO’s online systems when you choose to renew. If you set up any standing instruction or recurring payment through your own bank or payment provider, you must cancel it directly with them. To avoid unintended renewals, monitor the renewal reminders sent by WIPO and simply do not proceed with payment or renewal via Madrid or Hague eServices if you no longer wish to maintain the rights.

How do I get a receipt or invoice for a WIPO payment I see on my statement?

Receipts and invoices are generated within the specific WIPO system you used: ePCT for patents, Madrid e-services for trademarks, Hague eServices for designs, or the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center for dispute resolution cases. Log in to the relevant portal on wipo.int using your WIPO user account, then navigate to the ‘Payments’, ‘Invoices’, or ‘Fees’ section to download your documentation. If you cannot locate it, you can contact WIPO via the online contact form and provide your application or case number, payment date, and amount so they can resend the receipt.

How can I request a correction or refund for a WIPO charge I believe is incorrect?

If you suspect you have overpaid, paid twice, or entered the wrong amount, contact WIPO as soon as possible with full details (application or case number, transaction ID, payment date, and amount). Refunds are subject to WIPO’s fee and refund rules, which vary by procedure (PCT, Madrid, Hague, or Arbitration and Mediation), and some fees are non-refundable once processing has begun. Use the dedicated contact channels listed on wipo.int for the relevant service (e.g., PCT information service, Madrid Customer Service, Hague Service Desk, or Arbitration and Mediation Center) to submit your request.

How do I contact WIPO about a charge if I don’t recognize the specific service?

Go to wipo.int/contact and choose the category that most closely matches your situation—Patents (PCT), Trademarks (Madrid), Designs (Hague), or Arbitration and Mediation. Provide your name, organization (if any), the last four digits of the card, the exact amount, currency, date of the charge, and any reference number shown on your card statement. WIPO’s support team can look up the transaction in their systems and tell you which application, registration, or case it relates to.

Can WIPO charges appear under different descriptions or currencies on my statement?

Yes. Depending on your bank and payment method, WIPO charges may appear as “WIPO”, “WIPO INTL BUREAU”, or similar descriptors, and the transaction may be processed in Swiss francs (CHF) or another major currency. Your card issuer may convert the amount into your local currency and apply foreign transaction fees, so the final figure can differ slightly from the invoice. To reconcile, compare the original WIPO invoice amount and currency with your bank’s exchange rate and any additional bank fees.

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