It is with great sadness and sorrow that I bid farewell to my dear friend, Erich Hausser. Dr. Hausser passed away on May 17, 1999 after a long battle with cancer. Words will never express just how much my family and I will miss his friendship and support.
Erich was a great representative of his native Germany. A former President of the German Patent Office, Erich's expertise in the field of Intellectual Property played a major role in the development of IP laws in the Arab world. As International Advisor to Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property, he worked with me relentlessly providing technical advice and support. We shared a common objective and determination to ensure that IP was well established in this region. We have come a long way since we started on our mission and there are still obstacles to be overcome but with Erich's help we have taken huge strides forward and I will forever be grateful.
But above and beyond his professional contributions, I cherished my personal relationship with him. He shared my love for music. Erich was not only a friend but a member of my family who took part in the weddings of my children and the births of most of my grandchildren.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and I extend them my support as we all come to terms with this tragic loss.
Good bye Erich,
May you rest in peace,
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh
May 17, 1999.
Born on June 9th, 1930 in Markt Taschendorf/ Steigerwald.
Law degree, University of Erlangen, Germany, 1952
Judge, District of the Higher Regional Court, Nuremberg, 1958
Federal Ministry of Justice, 1963
Judge, Federal Patent Court, 1965
Judge, Federal Supreme Court, Karlsruhe, 1972
President of the German Patent Office, 1976
Honorary Member of ASPIP, 1987
International Advisor, AGIP, 1995