Business Software Alliance felicitates winners of Pan Arab IPR Media Awards 2008

The Arab IPR Media Awards is a pioneering initiative that seeks to recognise the contribution of the media towards promoting a safe, legal and digitally inclusive society in the Arab World.

H.E. Sheikha Rasha Naif Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Director of Intellectual Property Rights, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Kuwait, led the awards ceremony.

The awards are given in five categories, with all media organisations in the Arab World eligible to vie for the coveted awards.

The Pan Arab IPR Media Awards 2008 underscores a growing anti-piracy movement in the region and the increased awareness about the negative effects of piracy on the entire society.

"It is a significant achievement for our anti-piracy movement to be able to collaborate with the influential media to create awareness within the public sphere about the adverse effects of piracy. Our media partners serve as a vital link to help us deliver important messages, including information about intellectual property rights and the harmful effects of piracy. It is therefore only fitting that we honour their contributions through the Pan Arab IPR Media Awards. On the other hand, I would also like to congratulate the Business Software Alliance, whose efforts have ensured the success and close coordination of all our IPR activities."

said H.E. Sheikha Rasha Naif Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Director - Intellectual Property Rights, Kuwait.

The winners of the first category were Naushad Cherrayil, Gulf Daily News, UAE; Tarek Shadid, Akhbar Al Arab Newspaper, UAE; Mahmoud Nasheet, Akhbar Al Khaleej Newspaper, Bahrain; Hussein Musaad, Al Watan Newspaper, Saudi Arabia; and Manal Al Abidi, Dar Al Subah Newspaper, Tunis.

The winners of the second category were Faten Slah Eldin El Kholy, Al Alam Al Rakmy Newspaper, Egypt; Mhamad Hamad, Al Ahram Newspaper, Egypt; Rania Hindi, Alrai Newspaper, Jordan; Fawzi lyass Asaker, Al Alamiya Magazine, Lebanon; and Ousama Al-Kiswani, Al Qabas Newspaper, Kuwait.

The Pan Arab IPR Media Awards has been established by BSA to encourage the media to contribute more significantly in combating piracy and ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights.

The award also recognises media's efforts in shaping the perception of piracy and galvanising businesses and end-users to act on measures to help eliminate piracy and control IPR violations.

Jawad Al Redha, BSA Co-Chairman in the Gulf Region said,

"The rapid IT adoption across the Middle East has opened huge business opportunities across all levels of the IT industry. However, along with these developments come new challenges, such as piracy, that need to be addressed. In light of this, we are very pleased to see various media organisations being proactively involved in our campaign to increase awareness about piracy and IPR issues through creative editorials, compelling investigative reports and insightful feature stories. The BSA would like to congratulate all the winners for all their hard work and for setting an example for others to follow."

By leveraging the media's extensive reach across different sections of the society, BSA seeks to raise awareness about the possible consequences and risks involved when using pirated software and violating IPR laws.