Dubai Customs organizes 3rd IPR workshop

The workshop incorporates about 43 participants representing a number of public and private agencies namely; Dubai Customs, Department of Economic Development, Ministry of Economy, Federal Customs Authority, National Media Counsel and Dubai Municipality.

Other organizations like Ras Al Khaimah Customs, Sharjah Customs and Abu Dhabi Customs as well as representatives from private entities including Casio, Canon, Panasonic, BMW, NIVIA, Swiss Union for watch manufactures, Sony Erickson, Red Paul, Waner Jaizer and American British Tobacco company are also taking part.

The workshop comes within the context of IPR business plan of 2005, which aims to familiarize inspection officers with IPR Department and nature of its operations through organizing specialty training courses and open debates.

The business plan has been subdivided into a number of phases included two workshops. The first workshop, which aimed to introduce 28 inspectors to IPR and deep searching into means of counterfeiting of products, was held on 18th and 22nd February 2006.

The second workshop, which included 35 trainees from Federal Ministries and organizations, local Departments and most renowned companies of international brands, was held between 22nd and 26th April 2006. The workshop covered a practical training outlining how original and counterfeit products could be differentiated and detailing counterfeiting risks to consumers.

Dubai Customs seeks in liaison with IPR Department to enhance efforts in improving inspectors' standards as to keep pace with latest IPR development worldwide and ensuring consumers' protection by combating forgery and counterfeiting of products.