UAE Ministry of Economy organises First Arab Intellectual Property Forum in Abu Dhabi

Over 300 dignitaries, special interest groups, executives and international experts are expected to attend the event, which is being organized by the Ministry as a major initiative in its continuing efforts to combat intellectual property rights (IPR) violations that impede the country and the region's full economic potential.

The Forum, organised with the full support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Khasawneh & Associates, will provide in-depth discussions on various IPR issues, including cross-border cooperation, public awareness campaigns, electronic commerce and online crimes. It will also tackle challenges in IP management and identify successful strategies that optimise business potential.

H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi said:

"This global event provides an important opportunity to debate and discuss IPR policies and sets a platform to highlight the success stories of companies who were able to build strong markets with their IP-centered businesses. Moreover, this Forum provides an opportunity for regional and international companies to proactively discuss IPR issues, with emphasis on IP law enforcement and efforts against product imitation. Aside from concession procedures, licensing and trademark management, participants will also talk about electronic crimes and the exploitation of Web site names."

H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Undersecretary - Planning Sector, MoE, outlined the contents of the Forum workshops: the first workshop will tackle piracy and counterfeiting and the various initiatives being implemented to prevent it from proliferating across the region. It will also highlight the critical role of consumers in combating piracy, and the strong impact of an effective public awareness campaign in boosting law enforcement efforts. The second workshop will address issues concerning electronic commerce, electronic theft and various crimes committed on the web. The third workshop will focus on licensing and management of trademarks and will examine various business models and opportunities.

H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi explained: "The Forum will include a series of workshops, each deeply exploring specific subjects that are of great importance to intellectual property rights in the Arab world, especially as embodied in the World Intellectual Property - Property-Rights Literature. The Forum will be a suitable platform to facilitate a healthy debate on critical issues and promote sustained interaction to help us identify and develop new business opportunities and enforcement initiatives."

"Participants will also examine current conditions and possible improvements in the implementation of IPR laws and policies throughout the Arab World. A topic of interest is the monitoring and prevention of counterfeit products through harbours, airports, and other border crossing points. We expect a good dialogue among executive authorities present regarding the border practices of their own regions," added H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi.

"The UAE is fully aware that it must strengthen its alliances with the rest of the international community to achieve even greater success in the fight against piracy and counterfeiting. I am confident that through this Forum, we are heading in the right direction towards achieving this mission," concluded H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.