Multilateral patent treaties are primarily administered by which institution?

The primary institution responsible for administering multilateral patent treaties is the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on intellectual property issues, offering a range of services including the promotion of international agreements on patents, copyrights, trademarks, and related areas. It oversees various international treaties such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which facilitates the process of obtaining patent protection across multiple jurisdictions.

In contrast, the other institutions mentioned handle different aspects of international relations and economic agreements. The World Trade Organization (WTO) deals broadly with trade agreements and negotiations, including aspects of intellectual property through the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), but it does not administer the treaties themselves. The World Bank primarily focuses on economic development and poverty reduction, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is concerned with international monetary cooperation and financial stability. Therefore, among the options provided, WIPO is the appropriate and correct choice for the administration of multilateral patent treaties.