SANA'A - Yemeni government officials, judges and businessmen attended a seminar on “Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)” at the Yemeni Ministry of Industry and Trade on June 17, 2007.
According to Yemen News Agency (SABA’), the event was sponsored by the US State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Deputy Minister of Trade Iqbal Bahader and the US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Nabeel Khoury delivered the opening remarks, where they commended the efforts exerted by Yemen in creating an IP-compliant environment through implementing tough IP laws and curbing piracy.
With the aim of raising awareness of IPRs in Yemen, USPTO Representative Joseph Rodriguez distributed, during the seminar, complementary copies of the “Intellectual Property and You” book series to the audience.
These books, which include “Essentials of Intellectual Property - A Basic Primer for Every One,” and “The Use and Protection of Intellectual Property - A Guide for Arab Professionals,” provide guidelines about IP as well as information on using, protecting, registering and enforcing trademarks, patents, copyrights and designs.
Business Development Officer at Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) Yemen office, Haytham Fahmi, gave a presentation on the “Achievements and Challenges Facing Intellectual Property Development in Yemen.”
Fahmi briefed the audience on the role of the Intellectual Property Protection Department at the Ministry in safeguarding IPRs in Yemen.
Other speakers also emphasized that protection of IP would be crucial for attracting foreign investments to Yemen and speeding up Yemen’s accession to the World Trade Organization.