The conference on the protection of the Intellectual Property Rights concluded its activity yesterday, May 30, 1994 in Dubai. The conference was organized by INFO CENTER in association with CLIFFORD CHANCE. Several papers were presented by key speakers followed by an informed discussion by the participants. Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh chaired the meeting and recited the resolutions arrived at by the conference.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh is the President of the Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property (ASPIP) and the Chairman of Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (TMP Agents). In his capacity as President of ASPIP, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh enjoys a consultative status with the United Nation economic and social counsel in New York and is a member of various experts committees attached to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He also contributed in drafting the laws and legislations regulating Intellectual Property in a number of Arab and Gulf States such as the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Sultanate of Oman.
The conference was inaugurated yesterday by his Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Midfa, the assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture and chaired by Mr. Ziad Galadari, Senior Associate at Ziad Galadari & Associates. Experts from the Arab Gulf Cooperation Counsel as well as from WPO and representatives from the Ministry of Information and Culture and the United States Counsel General, in addition to experts from leading multinational corporations such as Glaxo Holdings Pie., Microsoft Corporation, Unilever Arabia, Price Waterhouse, Clifford Chance, Attard & Associates, IFPI Intellectual Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the Intellectual Property Rights Organization, as well as TMP Agents were present.
Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh presented a paper in which he reviewed the historical developments of Arab intellectual property legislation and the level of protection afforded by such laws. He also discussed the economic value of intellectual property rights, the U.S.’s interest and position regarding such rights, the Gulf States’ interest in protecting such rights and the extent of the protection afforded by the laws of these states. He also discussed issues relating to the protection of the intellectual property rights in light of the rapid technological developments, as well as piracy, protection of audio productions and the comparative analysis of the various systems of the protection in Europe and property rights in assets with material value.
In his conclusion, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh presented the following resolutions, adopted unanimously during the conference:
1- The conference notes with pleasure the recent adoption of the new law aimed at providing legal protection in the areas of patents, trademarks and copyrights in the United Arab Emirates and in several other Gulf and Arab States, as well the modifications and related legislation especially in light of the fact that modernization efforts have a comparatively recent history.
2- The aim of raising the level of protection requires a balanced effort in the areas of legislation, governmental supervision, legal procedures and public awareness. This can only be achieved through cooperation between international and regional organizations with concerned governmental authorities.
3- Industrial development provided the foundation upon which future levels of protection can be achieved since such development will lead to the creation of the necessary institutions, The countries which offer the fullest measures of protection are most advanced and therefore it is necessary to devise programs for the transfer of technology to the developing countries which must be accompanied by programs to strengthen protection of Intellectual property rights.
4- It is in the best interest of governments, businessmen and citizens to provide the fullest measure of protection to the owner of intellectual property rights. This conviction lies behind the support of officials inthe United Arab Emirates and other states for the continuous development of protection laws and procedures.
In closing, the conference expressed its gratitude to his Highness the President of UAE Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al Nahyan, and his Vice-President, Ruler of Dubai, his Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for hosting this important conference in the state. They also expressed their appreciation to the patron of the conference, his Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Madifa and the Ministry of Information and culture and to the conference organizers INFO CENTER and Clifford Chance.
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