The Arab Society for Intellectual Property is a window through which we can view the changes in intellectual property issues, and acquire science and knowledge in this important field in the Arab countries through ASIP’s Monthly Bulletin.
Among ASIP’s distinctive achievements in the idea of “Intellectual Property Expert” program which started to take root in 1999, such as studying an “M.A. degree in Intellectual Property”. The program’s idea has recently changed to “Intellectual Property Expert” to establish first the basic rules of the curriculum, and after that, develop it to become a post-graduate study in future.
According to the above, and after taking note of a curriculum of a similar program in Europe and the USA whose curriculum is affected with the history and application of intellectual property laws within their borders, and taking into consideration that intellectual property, the importance of its protection and its international effect on the Arab economy and technological advancement, it can be concluded that the educational material should include all intellectual property elements in a simple and comprehensive form. This is available in WIPO Educational Material, whose adoption seems to be the optimal method in the present circumstances.
A small number of Arab academic institutions started entering this field. It is clear that the teaching of the material is lacking at the Arab institution’s level. The Arab libraries also do not have the required reference books. For example, the library of the Cultural Society in Abu-Dhabi contains three books only on this subject, while the libraries of some universities in Ankara contain tens of books on the various aspects of this subject.
The cultural composition of a society may have an effect on ignorance in the importance of intellectual property and its protection though it is an invention of a new treatment, namely copyrights which do not allow the reproduction of CDs, and the trademarks whose intellectual property rights are maintained. Accordingly, it is necessary to educate the individual, the merchant and the inventor through teaching and the publication of bulletins and articles which are useful to all.
We highly appreciate the efforts of ASIP Chairman Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh and the time he spent to enhance ASIP’s Arab and international reputation. We also extend our thanks to Mr. Mohammad Jamil Al-Shalabi, ASIP’s Manager for this free forum from which we draw encouragement and knowledge.