The Sub-Regional WIPO Seminar for the GCC Countries on the TRIPs Agreement concluded its activities on December 2, 1998 in Bahrain. During 3-day discussions, the seminar stressed the importance of providing suitable training courses on the intellectual property rights in the GCC countries.
The seminar emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination among the GCC countries and international unions and organizations in the field of intellectual property. Further emphasis was laid on constant coordination with the WIPO in providing for the needs and requirements of the Council in the field of intellectual property. The seminar also highlighted the importance of revising the laws and regulations applicable in the GCC countries and the extent of their they compliance with TRIPs. Laying down sound foundations for protecting intellectual property before the deadline of January 2000 was recommended an early start.
Mr. Sharif Saadallah, WIPO Director of the Office for Cooperation for the Development of Arab Countries, said that the seminar focused on providing all the information relating to implementing and enforcing the TRIPs Agreement while taking into consideration that its enforceability date for the Arab countries is January 2000. He pointed out that the seminar discussed a number of issues relating to the authorities concerned with enforcing laws like judiciary, police and customs as well as the priorities of the GCC countries in the intellectual property field.
The seminar urged harmonization laws with the TRIPs Agreement and the updating of governmental departments concerned with supervising intellectual property rights as well as training the staff in the various sectors which deal with intellectual property. The seminar aimed not only to provide recommendations to be implemented but to discuss, review issues, and to reply to inquiries as well.