DUBAI - "In order to ensure strict enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), border measures used by customs departments in the Arab countries should be reinforced so as to prevent the entrance of any counterfeit goods," said Abu-Ghazaleh Legal Executive Director Mr. Samer Pharaon during the "Judicial Workshop on IPRs Enforcement."
Organized by the Judicial Training and Studies Institute in Dubai in cooperation with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the workshop was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), January 16-18, 2006.
Under the theme, "Survey of IPRs Laws and Cases from the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Region," Mr. Pharaon discussed in his presentation legislative and legal frameworks adopted by Arab countries to enforce IPRs and combat piracy.
The paper recommended linking trademark databases in the trademark offices, customs departments and national libraries in all Arab countries. This procedure will assist the customs departments in detecting counterfeit marks before they enter local markets.
The paper also called for providing specialized training for customs officials in the field of intellectual property on how to detect counterfeit goods.
Meanwhile, HE Mr. Mohamed bin Nekhaira Al Dhaheri, UAE Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs and Awqaf said that UAE authorities have stepped up their campaign against software piracy in an effort to protect IPRs and maintain the country’s remarkable success in keeping piracy under check.
It is noteworthy that the UAE has recorded 34 percent, one of the lowest software piracy rates in the Middle East and North Africa region. The UAE was the only Arab country among the 20 lowest-piracy countries in the world.
Al Dhaheri added that the UAE has issued laws and regulations in every field of intellectual property including trademarks, copyrights, patents and industrial designs and models. UAE is also a member in several IP conventions and treaties such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations, WIPO Copyright Treaty, in addition to others.
On the other hand, USPTO officials discussed international standards and obligations for IPRs enforcement - TRIPS and Free Trade Agreements, role of national/specialized courts in IPRs enforcement, adjudication and management of IPRs litigation, as well as digital/copyright piracy.