Arpad Bogsch, 85, Copyright Maven

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The New York Sun

Arpad Bogsch, a Hungarian-born American credited with creating the modern system for protecting such “intellectual property” as patents and copyrights, has died, his family announced Tuesday. He was 85.


Bogsch, who headed the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization for 24 years, died Sunday.


“Dr. Bogsch was not only the founder of this organization but also the crafter, the creator of the modern intellectual property system,” said Kamal Idris, his successor as WIPO director-general.


Bogsch worked for the U.S. Copy right Office, and then became the first deputy director of the newly formed WIPO in 1970, taking over as director general three years later.


Under his guidance, WIPO developed into an organization that greatly simplifies the awarding of international protection to patents, trademarks, and designs.


Fees paid by companies and individuals make WIPO the only self-funding U.N. agency. It also fosters negotiations on treaties and standards among its 181 member countries.


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