Ministry of Economy launches national campaign for intellectual property rights

During the ceremony announcing the campaign Mr Al Mansouri stressed the importance of honouring intellectual property rights is more relevant today than ever before and innovation is what drives economies and businesses, and any creative and original thinking should be respected and honoured.

"This campaign is aimed at highlighting the importance of an individual's or business's rights over intellectual property and how it contributes to growth We also want to put the focus on ensuring a business environment that is free of piracy and copyright violations,"

he added.

Mr Al Mansouri said: "Intellectual property rights gained prominence in the UAE in 1971 with our constitution mandating that we respect the rights. The UAE has signed several international agreements to strengthen global cooperation and upholding copyrights. We joined the World Intellectual Property Organization in 1975, one of the leading organizations responsible of supporting intellectual property around the globe and we are coordinating efforts with this global organisation on the highest levels".

He added: "The government is determined to limit violations on intellectual property. This will have a positive impact on the investment environment of the UAE and attract external investment. Aligning with the federal government's directives to ensure a piracy free environment, the MoE has been leading a concerted campaign against such violations in the UAE. Several raids have been conducted in cooperation with the local departments and strong action taken against piracy".

He concluded: "The UAE is reaping the rewards of its commitment to intellectual rights protection as we are regarded as the first nation in the Arab World in fighting piracy as well as in encouraging innovation. The Ministry of Economy is adopting latest technologies to provide a secured environment for intellectual property rights. The ministry received 621 requests to register intellectual patents from inventors in 2009. 520 other requests were made by companies and corporations for import and distribution of intellectual properties. Trademarks registered in the UAE stand at 97,523. The UAE has issued 625 industrial property patents and 179 invention certificates. We have received 866 requests for industrial prototypes and 2235 requests for invention certificate in 2008-09."

The campaign will see diverse events and activities that serve the campaign and contribute to achieving its goals and objectives. A symposium to be held as part of the campaign will highlight the national legislation pertaining to intellectual property rights
and its implementation by the Ministry of the economy.

HE Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Director General of the Ministry of Economy said that the national campaign is one of the major initiatives of the strategic plan of the Ministry of Economy to act to prevent unfair trade practices and protect consumer rights and in light of the implementation of the strategy of the federal government.

He also said that the campaign is aimed at raising awareness among various segments of society, the concept of intellectual property rights, as well as about the importance of the concerted efforts of citizens and residents to fight against counterfeit and pirated goods that have negative impacts on the health and safety of individuals in any society.

The campaign will focus on the definition of federal laws applicable in the UAE and the international conventions and treaties in force in the country.