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Ministry of Economy Launches Campaign to Protect Intellectual Property Rights

The campaign will help the government raise public awareness about the concept of intellectual property protection, its importance, and the impact on and implications for the national economy.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, said in a statement that honoring 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 honored.

“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 focus on ensuring a business environment that is free of piracy and copyright violations,” he said.

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.

“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 Organisation in 1975, one of the leading organizations responsible of supporting intellectual property around the globe and we are coordinating efforts with these global organizations responsible of supporting intellectual property around the globe and we are coordinating efforts with this global organisation on the highest levels,” Al Mansouri said.

“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.”

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.

“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 request was 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,” Al Mansouri said.

Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Director-General of the Ministry if 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 trade practices and protect consumer rights and in light of the implementation of the strategy of the federal government.

· business@khaleejtimes.com