Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, President of the Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property (ASPIP), called for turning IP concepts into economic and social development incentive. This was during the second annual meeting of Industry Advisory Commission which in Geneva at the headquarters of WIPO.
IAC comprises 16 members who represent organizations, bodies, professional associations and individuals concerned with IP. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh who represented the Arab profession, previously represented the Arab Region in the commission founding meeting.
Foremost among the participants were the CEO's of Silicon Graphics, Glaxo Welcome, American Bar Association, Chinese Patent Office, ET Index, and ASPIP.
The commission provides counsel on behalf of the private sector and IP profession to WIPO for facilitating matters to decision makers and country representatives. IAC stressed the importance of the IP system as a means to develop economic growth, and the importance of speedy development of the protection system in E-trade and on the Internet. Likewise, it recommended studying the means of reducing the costs of patent registration and developing relations between world IP institutions and the media and communication sectors.
Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh suggested that the IP concept be changed from protection to an economic and social development incentive. IAC asked Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh to submit a paper to the next meeting suggesting renewing the IP message, objectives, rules and role in serving the community and economy, not as a system for the protection of personal interests but as an essential, useful and objective-oriented system.
Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh advised the IAC that he will submit the said proposal to ASPIP Board during the meeting to be held in Beirut, Lebanon, in mid-November 1999.