DED to participate in European Property Rights Forum

Two senior officials from the Compliance and Consumer Awareness Division at the DED will take part at the two-day event, which is to be held in Paris, from March 22 to 23, 2005. The officials include Mr. Mohammed Hilal Al Muroushedi, Director Compliance Division and Mr Yusuf Ozair Mubarak, Head of Commercial Protection Section.

Commenting on DED's forthcoming participation at the event, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General, Executive Affairs, DED, said: "Dubai has always positioned itself as the 'Shopping capital of the region where the finest quality products are available from across the world. Infringements against registered brands and violations against intellectual property rights can tarnish Dubai's reputation as a shoppers' paradise, which offers access to quality products. We are constantly on the lookout for ways and means to combat such incidents and have established several methods to keep such practices in check. The DED's participation at the European Property Rights Forum only serves to underline Dubai's commitment towards this objective."

The Forum is expected to discuss several issues related to Globalization, the Internet and city-states with particular reference to new threats to intellectual property.

"Intellectual Property Rights and trademark infringements have become significant issues today especially in the major metropolises of the world," said Mr. Mohammed Hilal. "Dubai has established several regulations and checks in order to curb such practices within the Emirate. Our participation at this conference will enable us to leverage the experience of the developed countries of the European Union and explore the best practices that have been established in those countries to protect consumers against fraud. We aim to study these initiatives and the feasibility of adapting some of them to the specific business situation in Dubai in order to further develop our existing regulations," he added.

The European Property Rights Forum is organised by "Union des Fabricants." It groups together French companies and professional federations from all sectors of business and serves as a unique watchdog for the protection of intellectual property rights as well as providing a forum for information and discussion. The DED aims to use the experience to further develop and enhance corporate and consumer awareness about the sale of counterfeit products in the country.

"Union des Fabricants" provides a number of practical services to business. With publications, legal notices, conferences, an authentication service, offices in Tokyo and Beijing and an international network, "Union des Fabricants" offers a vast range of services to meet the needs of its members.