Emirates Intellectual Property Association hosts special ceremony to award UAE's leading IPR advocates

EIPA signs 3 MOUs with Dubai eGovernment, Dubai Customs and Dubai Statistics Centre

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (prHWY.com) January 19, 2013 - January 17, 2013
Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA) recently hosted an awards ceremony to recognize various public and private sector organizations that have made significant contributions to ongoing efforts to protect intellectual property rights and fight piracy in the UAE. During the event, EIPA also outlined the major achievements and activities it has conducted in the past two years, and discussed its strategic plans for 2013 with all its partners. Following the positive feedback from all parties, EIPA submitted their strategy to their partners and relevant parties for review and approval from EIPA's Board of Directors.

The government entities and personalities awarded during the event were H.E. Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of Emirates Publishers Association; Brigadier Mohammed Saad al-Sharif, Director of the Regulatory Office of the General Command of Dubai Police on behalf of H.E. Lt. General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; H.E. Abdullah Ahmad Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade; H.E. Naji Al Hai Mubarak, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs; H.E. Dr Yousef Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Director of Corporate Strategy & Performance on behalf of H.E. Dr. Ahmed Saeed Bin Hazim, Director General of Dubai Courts; H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone and Director General of Dubai Customs; Mr. Wesam Lootah, Assistant Director General of Dubai eGovernment on behalf of H.E. Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai eGovernment; Mr. Tariq Al-Janahi, Director of Excellence and Institutional Support Department on behalf of H.E. Arif Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Dubai Statistics Centre (DSC); H.E. Chancellor Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Al Kamali, Director General of the Institute of Training and Judicial Studies (ITJS); H.E. Abdullah Sultan Abdullah, Secretary-General, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Ahmed Jami Al Qaizi, Director of Economic Department, of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry on behalf of H.E. Abdullah Sultan Abdullah, Secretary-General, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry; H.E. Abdullah Lootah, Secretary General, Emirates Competitiveness Council (ECC); H.E. Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development; H.E. Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID); and Rashed Al Kharji and Marwan Al Hal of Dubai Media Incorporated.

Adobe Systems MENA, represented by Regional General Manager Abdullah Saqqa; Microsoft Gulf, represented by Regional General Manager Samer Abu-Latif, led the awardees from the private sector, which also included Jawad Al Redha, Business Software Alliance Chair, Gulf Region.

Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razak Obaidli, President of EIPA, said: "It is our goal to create benchmarks in our anti-piracy efforts in the UAE, which will be crucial in developing new strategies and charting future activities. This honouring ceremony hosted by EIPA is an important step in this direction as we aim to highlight and document the contributions of various key players in the fight against piracy. Protecting intellectual property rights has been outlined as one of the key elements in the UAE Government's long-term socioeconomic development agenda. We are therefore pleased with the excellent response we have received from both the public and private sectors in support of the various campaigns we have launched in the country."

Yusuf Sahlawi, Senior Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Dubai Customs, explained that the Department is sparing no efforts to maintain the rights of producers and trademark owners, through collaboration with various strategic partners from both local and international public and private sectors to make more efforts under the Department's IPR theme; 'Together for Better Protection'.

"As part of its efforts towards IPR protection, Dubai Customs aims to prevent any attempts to smuggle counterfeit goods into the country", added Sahlawi. "It also organizes awareness and cultural workshops for all segments and classes of the society, including students and undergraduates, about the risks of counterfeiting on public health, the society and the economy. To ensure compliance with international standards, training workshops for customs inspectors and employees from local and Gulf ministries, departments and authorities are also key highlights of the Department."

"The agreement between Dubai Customs and EIPA aims to promote and exchange IPR-related studies and practices conducted by both parties, as well as raise awareness on this regard while shedding light on the importance of safeguarding the rights of authors, inventors, trademark owners and patents. It encourages cooperation and mutual efforts to achieve common visions of raising more awareness among the society about the protection of Intellectual Property Rights from the various types of violations and counterfeiting; with main focus on the risks of using counterfeit goods; as to achieve common benefits through solid cooperation and ongoing communication," concluded Sahlawi.

"Today's ceremony clearly demonstrates the successful efforts of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association to cultivate a healthy cooperation between the government and the private sector to promote intellectual property rights protection and eradicate software piracy in society. Adobe has always been actively involved in initiatives that protect consumers and the business community against cyber crimes and illegal software trade activities. We are honoured to be a part of the recognition ceremony." said Abdallah Saqqa, Regional General Manager, Adobe Systems MENA.

"The distinction that we have received from EIPA demonstrates the progress we have achieved as we continue to consolidate our efforts and reaffirm our commitment to eliminate piracy and uphold intellectual property rights in the country. Over the past few years, Microsoft Gulf and other private sector entities have provided strategic support in terms of information and resources that have resulted in numerous successful anti-piracy initiatives and awareness campaigns across the UAE. This clearly shows that the private sector plays a vital role in the success of the UAE's anti-piracy efforts. Moreover, it highlights the growing awareness within the business community about the importance and benefits of maintaining a piracy-free society," said Samer Abu-Latif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf.

We believe in the importance of protecting and publishing everything related to the intellectual property rights' culture. This will never happen without involving all members of society, government and private institutions, and relying on their combined efforts. With this in mind, we will always endeavour to build communication and cooperation bridges with our strategic partners on the one hand, and society on the other. This ceremony marks a tremendous start to 2013," said Abdulla Alkhayat, EIPA Media Director.

EIPA's signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dubai eGovernment, Dubai Customs and Dubai Statistics Centre were other key highlights of the awards ceremony. The MOU with Dubai eGovernment pertains to EIPA's adoption of eHost, a shared Government to Government (G2G) service provided by Dubai eGovernment. The partnership with Dubai Customs aims to achieve fruitful 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. EIPA and Dubai Statistics Center, on the other hand, have agreed to provide each other with pertinent data and information that are relevant to their respective mandates.

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