UAE aims to raise awareness about IPR

Dubai: Protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) has become a worldwide concern as millions of dollars are lost yearly due of IPR theft and piracy. Aiming to become one of the leading countries in protecting IPR, UAE’s Emirates Intellectual Property association (EIPA) has made its mission to raise awareness about IPR in the UAE.

The EIPA is an association that addresses IPR protection in the UAE by offering advice about intellectual property protection to the private and public sector.Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razak Obaidli, president of EIPA, presented some of IPR threats and losses that the UAE faces in order to explain the importance of IPR protection.

“Dubai Economic department has seized 20,000 and 600 counterfeit electronic products worth Dh4 million. There has also been an increase in re-exportation of counterfeit goods through international outlets in the UAE which can be considered as a threat that the country might face in protecting IPR,” he said.

Obaidi also discussed UAE’s strengths and opportunities while stressing that raising awareness about IPR is vital in protecting intellectual property.

“The UAE currently occupies a significant place in protecting intellectual property rights and is considered the first in the region in doing so. The UAE also has a great interest in IPR reports, both factors are considered a strength that the country has in protecting intellectual property rights since it has been outlined as one of the key elements in the UAE Government’s long-term socioeconomic development agenda.”

EIPA held an award ceremony to recognise the various public and private sector organisations that had a significant contribution to protecting IPR in the UAE. EIPA also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dubai eGovernment, Dubai Customs and Dubai Statistics Centre.

The partnership with Dubai Customs aims to achieve cooperation in the development of IP services, research studies related to IPR and creating awareness about the importance of protecting the rights of authors, creators and owners of trademarks and patents. On the other hand, EIPA and Dubai Statistics Centre have agreed to provide each other with pertinent data and information that are relevant to their respective mandates.

Noor Nazzal is a trainee at Gulf News