Ministry of Economy hosts workshop on copyright and neighboring rights

The Ministry of Economy, National Media Council, Dubai Police, Arab Anti-Piracy Union to Combat Piracy and Microsoft Gulf presented papers on copyright and neighboring rights.

The workshop aimed at coordinating efforts and exchanging experiences between local and federal bodies and private sector institutions, on global best practices in copyright and neighboring rights. The objective is to help position the UAE as at the forefront in protecting copyrights.

His Excellency Mohammed Al Shihhi, Director General of the Ministry of Economy opened the workshop and said that the event provides an ideal opportunity to exchange information on international and regional experiences about the various aspects related to intellectual rights.

Al Shihhi said:

"The UAE is committed to creating a proper environment for innovation and success by supporting the business community and providing data that energizes business by protecting trade interests. The federation has set laws for protecting and encouraging innovators as well as strict policies to punish violators according to international principles including Federal law no.7 for 2002."

The UAE is at the forefront in fighting piracy thanks to the cooperation between all concerned parties at all levels, he said. The country has also taken concerted efforts to coordinate activities and understand how copyright violators operate and the technologies they use.

He said that the MoE will intensify raids and strive to eliminate piracy activities. Already, a large number of CDs and PCs with unlicensed software have been confiscated.

"The strictness of the laws and efforts exerted by the MoE and other federal and local parties in fighting piracy make the UAE one of the most free piracy environments in the region and the world."