UAE Ministry of Economy receives AAA Award for anti-piracy and copyright enforcement

The AAA cited the Ministry's excellent enforcement of copyright law through close collaboration with local government agencies and enforcement authorities as major reasons for the accolade.

The AAA also discussed the latest piracy trends in the UAE during the ceremony, such as the use of decoder boxes and Internet piracy through IP addresses, and highlighted possible enforcement and policy strategies to deal with the latest criminal schemes.

"The UAE currently leads the Arab World in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, and also consistently posts the lowest piracy rates in the region. We have successfully created a conducive environment for foreign investors and safeguarded the integrity of local businesses through strict enforcement of, and continuous improvements to, our IPR laws. However, the rapid growth of the country's and the region's IT sectors necessitate more vigilance and the development of unique strategies to combat the increasingly sophisticated methods of counterfeiters," said H.E. Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Undersecretary - Planning Sector, UAE Ministry of Economy.

The Ministry was specifically commended for its comprehensive IPR laws and its effective partnership with the Ministry of Interior and customs and enforcement authorities to implement periodic raids and appropriate legal action against offenders. The AAA also thanked the Ministry for responding positively and swiftly to piracy and IPR issues and cases raised by the Alliance itself.

Among the key attendees who participated in the event were Scott Butler, CEO, AAA; Ola Khudair, Deputy CEO, AAA; and Mr. John Oliver, First Secretary, US Embassy.

"The Ministry faced a major challenge when it was appointed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to handle all national IPR concerns and issues in 2006. Through the solid support of both the public and private sectors, we have been able to exceed expectations and made our country a model of IPR protection in the Middle East," added H.E. Abdulaziz Alshihhi.

The Dubai-based AAA is a unique organization dedicated to curbing piracy in the Middle East through a comprehensive anti-piracy program comprising public awareness campaigns, aggressive lobbying, and legal initiatives against IPR offenders. The Alliance, which evolved from the anti-piracy program established by the Motion Picture Association in 1996, currently has full time operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, where its Operations Managers closely coordinate with the corresponding governments to safeguard against copyright and trademark infringements.

"The AAA bases its comprehensive results-oriented anti-piracy program on case management, public relations, training, and close collaboration with local government authorities for effective enforcement. The Ministry has performed well in this last area, providing outstanding and immediate support for our regional strategies. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the Ministry as together we strive to rid the Arab World of copyright violation" concluded Scott Butler, CEO, AAA.