diff --git a/include/wx/object.h b/include/wx/object.h
index dd1e2fb927..e4baee1396 100644
--- a/include/wx/object.h
+++ b/include/wx/object.h
@@ -278,6 +278,15 @@ public:
             m_ptr->IncRef();
     }
 
+    // generalized copy ctor: U must be convertible to T
+    template <typename U>
+    wxObjectDataPtr(const wxObjectDataPtr<U> &tocopy)
+        : m_ptr(tocopy.get())
+    {
+        if (m_ptr)
+            m_ptr->IncRef();
+    }
+
     ~wxObjectDataPtr()
     {
         if (m_ptr)
@@ -330,6 +339,17 @@ public:
         return *this;
     }
 
+    template <typename U>
+    wxObjectDataPtr& operator=(const wxObjectDataPtr<U> &tocopy)
+    {
+        if (m_ptr)
+            m_ptr->DecRef();
+        m_ptr = tocopy.get();
+        if (m_ptr)
+            m_ptr->IncRef();
+        return *this;
+    }
+
     wxObjectDataPtr& operator=(T *ptr)
     {
         if (m_ptr)
diff --git a/interface/wx/object.h b/interface/wx/object.h
index 16d4905e74..dc290db79c 100644
--- a/interface/wx/object.h
+++ b/interface/wx/object.h
@@ -585,11 +585,17 @@ public:
     */
     wxObjectDataPtr(T* ptr = NULL);
 
+    //@{
     /**
         This copy constructor increases the count of the reference counted object to
         which @a tocopy points and then this class will point to, as well.
+
+        Using @a U different from @c T is only supported since wxWidgets 3.1.5.
     */
+    template <typename U>
+    wxObjectDataPtr(const wxObjectDataPtr<U>& tocopy);
     wxObjectDataPtr(const wxObjectDataPtr<T>& tocopy);
+    //@}
 
 
     /**
@@ -649,7 +655,11 @@ public:
     //@{
     /**
         Assignment operator.
+
+        Using @a U different from @c T is only supported since wxWidgets 3.1.5.
     */
+    template <typename U>
+    wxObjectDataPtr<T>& operator=(const wxObjectDataPtr<U>& tocopy);
     wxObjectDataPtr<T>& operator=(const wxObjectDataPtr<T>& tocopy);
     wxObjectDataPtr<T>& operator=(T* ptr);
     //@}