Dubai Customs has recently launched a specialized unit for protecting and preventing violations of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Emirates News Agency, this unit is the first of its kind in the Middle East and will have far reaching impact on Dubai’s growing economy.
"Establishing the IPRs unit reaffirms Dubai Custom’s role in protecting IPRs, upholding international laws, and safeguarding consumer rights," said Director General of Dubai Customs, Mr. Ahmad Butti Ahmad.
Dubai Customs has implemented rules, regulations, and clear procedures to ensure that the newly-formed IPR unit works in harmony with the dictates of the Common Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, IP Laws in the UAE, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations, and any federal laws that will be enacted in the future.
Mr. Ahmad pointed out that the role of the unit is to stop violation of IPRs by preventing prohibited goods from entry into Dubai whether by detainment, inspection, or by taking legal action.
IPRs include and are not limited to copyright and related rights, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, and layout-design of integrated circuits.
The Dubai Customs’ IPRs unit shall also serve to be a contact point for the exchange of information on goods violating IPRs under the provisions of UAE laws, or international agreements, or conventions to which the UAE is a signatory.