Business Software Alliance commends efforts of UAE Ministry of Economy to uphold intellectual property rights

BSA has welcomed the recent announcement by the Ministry inviting the industry to launch an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) forum in the UAE. This suggested forum will include experts and industry professionals who will raise awareness on issues related to IPR, combat violations, launch symposiums, newsletters as well as cooperate with public institutions and international associations.

"This invitation stems from our deep realization about the harm that is being caused to the economic sector and end users due to the illegal use of software. We are exerting major efforts under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to offer all resources that will support the national economy, advance innovation and offer an ideal environment for production and creativity," said H.E. Sheikh Saud Bin Hamad Al Qassimi, Assistant Under Secretary for Trade Affairs, in the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, UAE.

"We renew our invitation to the industry to establish this forum and are pleased with the favourable response that we have received from international associations such as the BSA. The Ministry believes that the degree of success achieved by a country in its economic progress depends on the efficient implementation of IPR and the use of original software by the industry," Sheikh Al Qassimi added.

UAE is a leader in the Arab World in the field of IPR protection. It has succeeded in exceeding the standards set by European nations such as France, Greece and Italy who have the reputation of being far more technologically advanced. Although IPR laws have been in existence in these countries for many years, UAE has achieved much better results due to stringent implementation of these laws within the country.

Sheikh Al Qassimi underlined the need to exert more efforts in monitoring the usage of software within the UAE, improve the legislation, and put in place proper procedures to implement laws that will guarantee the protection of IPR to the best extent by escalating the penalties in this regard.

"We were expecting the Ministry to announce this initiative in view of its commitment to protect IPR and considering its concerted efforts to raise the legal and commercial awareness on this issue in all sectors of society. BSA is committed to enhance the awareness of businesses in particular and social groups in general to educate them on all the latest developments with regards to this crucial issue. We are working on boosting the cooperation and coordination with the Ministry in order to move forward on the IPR issue which will help achieve a healthy economic climate and offer opportunities to creative individuals to launch innovative solutions," said Jawad Al-Redha, Co-Chairman, Middle East, Business Software Alliance.

"UAE is one of the best examples of how effective implementation of IPR has resulted in economic progress. This has contributed making the UAE an ideal investment destination for international companies. The authorities have built an atmosphere of trust and cooperation with international and regional bodies working to combat IPR violation in the UAE, " Al Redha added.

BSA, which was established in 1988, is an international non-profit organization which aims to boost the legal use of software. The organization conducts its activities in 65 countries to increase awareness on combating software piracy by providing information centers to answer all queries in this regard. BSA works in close coordination with government departments and public institutions to affect the implementation of IPR laws.

"The mission of BSA is not only aiding governments and authorities in implementing IPR laws but also to offer services with regards to combating the illegal use of software," Al Redha added.

The UAE laws prohibit using illegal software in IT applications and require companies to provide adequate proofs on the usage of original software. According to the findings of the eighth annual BSA Global Software Piracy Study for the year 2002 released recently, UAE's leading anti-piracy role in the region for the seventh consecutive year has resulted in the decrease in piracy rates from 86% in 1994 to 36% in 2002.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Commerce has also begun to strengthen the working of the trademarks committee and is beginning to look into the various proposals sent to this body besides preparing a list of investigators in order to enhance the implementation of the laws.

"The IPR forum is expected to be launched in the near future and it will also boost the standing of UAE in both the social and economic sectors in the region," Al Redha added.