CONTENTS
President’s Message
Mission Statement and Objectives
Executives & General Meetings ASPIP Activities ASPIP Future Activities
ASPIP Accomplishments.
National Societies
International Dimension
Publications Auditors Report and Financial Statements
The First Arab International Intellectual Property Conference
President’s Message
Dear Member, As the president of the Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property
(ASPIP), it gives me great pleasure to report that our organization has achieved a greater degree of success than even my own most optimistic estimates. For a society which has embarked on (as extensive and challenging) a mission as ASPIP has done and to achieve so much in such a short time is a great testament to the initiative and abilities of its members.
The extensive scope of our accomplishments defies a succinct summary but suffice to say that our counsel and assistance to 9 different Arab countries, and our participation in the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and our work in drafting some of the new intellectual property laws in the Arab World, has definitely created a place for us in the economic history of the region.
Nonetheless, our success has not been so great as to make our existence redundant, and much remains to be done.
Most of the countries in the Arab World still need significant changes in their intellectual property laws. Even if all the necessary legislation was miraculously accomplished overnight, there would still be the difficult issue of harmonisation of the information systems in use with international standards. Equally important and inter-related with the aforementioned points is the issue of the perception in the West of whether intellectual property is prosecutable in the Arab region and whether we, both as government bodies and as business people, are actually concerned with intellectual property protection. This issue, which is really a matter of public relations, is to be considered as within the realm of our responsibilities.
Having mentioned both our success and the challenge facings us, I must say that I am proud to be affiliated with this organization and with its individual members. The role of intellectual properly protection is so important that it is virtually impossible to have an economic discussion without reference to it, Our activities play a very important role in the progress and development of this region and our role is destined to continue growing in importance as more and more emphasis is placed on protection of intellectual property by the international business community. Thank you for your contribution to this effort. I look forward to a future of exciting change and growth, for ASPIP and for the Arab World.
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh
President
The Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property (ASPIP)
ASPIP Mission Statement The Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual property (ASPIP) was established to advocate the protection of industrial and intellectual property in the Arab World, and to offer a proper forum to discuss and develop the laws which govern the activities of the field.
Objectives
ASPIP strives to develop and clarify the laws governing intellectual property protection in the Arab World. These are ASPIP’s objectives:-
- Promoting the promulgation of laws and regulations in conformity with Paris Convention of 1883 and subsequent developments in the field.
- Education through advertising media, conferences, lectures, research and studies, with the objective of protecting the interests of both consumers and business.
- Training Arab professionals in the field in order to better serve industrial and intellectual property in the Arab World.
- Organizing, developing, and promoting the profession of intellectual property protection for the benefit of the professionals themselves, consumers, producers, and the local and international communities.
Executives & Directors
The Board of Directors is composed of leaders in the field of industrial property protection. such as trademark and patent registrars, attorneys, scholars, university professors and government officials.
The following members were nominated to the Board:
Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Jordan (President)
Mrs. Hoda Abdel-Hadi Egypt (Vice President)
Mr. Mohamed Rebhi Dofash Jordan (Secretary)
Mr. Ahmed A. Sanhoury Egypt (Treasurer)
Sheikh Eissa Ben Mohamed Al-Khalifa Bahrain
H.E. Al-Habib Borguiba Jr Tunisia
Dr. Abdel-Rassoul Abdel-Reda Kuwait
Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Qader Al-Haj Yemen
Dr. Mohamed Al-Howshan Saudi Arabia
Mr. Mofeid El-Dieb Egypt
Mr. Ali Ben Khamis Al-Alawi Oman
Mr. Goma’a Ibrahim Mansour Libya
Mr. Ghassan Shallhoub Syria
Dr. Fouad Boustani Lebanon
The following were selected as Honorary Advisors of the Board:
Dr. Arpad Bogsch Director General of WIPO
Dr. Alfred Briner Secretary General of AIPPI
Dr. Erich Hausser President of the German Patent Office
Board & General Meetings In different cities and locations, general and Board members of ASPIP met on a regular basis to discuss ASPIP’s plans of action and activities for the upcoming period. Different intellectual property experts, Arab trademark and patent registrars, lawyers and college professors were invited to contribute to further intellectual property protection issues and enhance ASPIP’s efforts in the field.
Amman- February 10, 1990 Under the Chairmanship of Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, the Annual General Meeting was held in Amman on February 10, 1990. The agenda of the meeting included 1989 achievements and the 1990 plan of action. Members also discussed financial and administrative affairs. In his opening statement, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized that the concept of protection of industrial property has strengthened & spread in a very rapid way. This is accompanied by a growing awareness of this concept among the public. “Industrial and intellectual property protection has a vital role to play in developing the economic and social conditions in our part of the world, “stated Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh. He added that all Arab states should pay more attention to the issue which requires taking steps to draft and apply the laws to protect the rights of our inventors and authors as well as consumers.
All members approved the Board of Director” report for the year 1990, approved the balance sheet for the year 1990, approved the proposed budget for the year 1991 and all agreed to re-assign ASPIP’s auditor for the upcoming period.
Doha-– May 22, 1990 Under the patronage of H.E. the Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce, Sheikh Hammad Bin Jassim Al-Thani, members of ASPIP’s Board of Directors met on May 22, 1990. In his opening remark, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh welcomed all members of the Board and thanked the minister and his efforts to further develop the laws and legislation governing intellectual property.
Members of ASPIP’s Board of Directors approved the 1989 annual report and discussed the progress achieved regarding the establishment of national societies. Plans were made to arrange for training courses scheduled to be held in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for Arab trademark and patent registrars. The First Arab International Conference on the Protection of Intellectual Property was also on the agenda. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh indicated that “... the purpose of such a conference is to shed more light and better educate people on the importance of intellectual property protection.
All members agreed to hold the next meeting in September 1991, in Cairo.
Amman- March 12, 1991 Under the Chairmanship of Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, the Annual General Meeting of ASPIP was held at the Jordan Hotel in Amman on March 12, 1991. In his opening statement, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh welcomed all members to the Annual General Meeting of ASPIP and indicated that sufficient members were present for a voting majority.
In the meeting, members agreed on making a few amendments to the Statutes. Allmembers approved the board of Directors’ report for the year 1990, approved the balance sheet for the year 1990, approved the proposed budget for the year 1991 and agreed to re-assign ASPIP’s auditor for the upcoming period. They also agreed to discharge ASPIP’s Board of Directors and extended many thanks for all their efforts to further ASPIP’s goals and enhance the filed in the Arab World.
In compliance with article 9 of the Statutes, and in execution of the re-election of the Board every four years, new members were nominated for the Board. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh congratulated new board members and emphasized the need for their contribution to further ASPIP’s mission and objective.
Towards the end of the General Assembly, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh thanked all members who attended the meeting and indicated that the next Annual General Meeting would be held in April 1992, in Cairo.
Cairo- September 12, 1991 Under the Chairmanship of Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, ASPIP’s Board of Directors held its meeting in Cairo on September 12, 1991. The Board reviewed the agenda and approved the minutes of their meeting in Doha. Members of the Board reviewed ASPIP’s role as an observer in ECOSOC at the United Nations and at World Intellectual property Organization (WIPO). The Board also acknowledged the establishment of the Tunisian Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (ASPIP - Tunis), the founders’ meeting of which was attended by the president of the National Tunisian Institute.
The Board also decided to hold the first international conference on The Protection of Intellectual Property as a Development Tool.” Among the topics to be covered in. the conference are Arab comparative and united legislation, the establishment of a regional Arab Patent office and invention and programning rights. Participants to be invited include trade mark and patent agents in the Arab World, government registrars of trademarks, patents and industrial designs, government sectors interested in technology and protection rights, university professors and members of chambers of commerce.
Board members decided to hold their next meeting in December 1992, in Amman.
Cairo- April 7, 1992 On April 7, 1992, the Annual General Meeting of ASPIP was held at Cairo, Sheraton Hotel under the Chairmanship of ASPIP’s President, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh made his opening remarks and welcomed all members to the Annual General Meeting of ASPIP. He also indicated that sufficient members were present for a quorum.
In the meeting, all members approved the Board of Directors’ report for the year 1991, approved the balance sheet for the year 1991, approved the proposed budget for the year 1992 and all agreed to re-assign ASPIP’s auditor for the upcoming period.
All members agreed to discharge ASPIP’s Board of Directors and extended many thanks for all their efforts to further ASPIP’s goals and enhance the field in the Arab World.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh finally thanked all members who attended the meeting and indicated that the next Annual General Meeting would be held in Istanbul, Turkey in June 1993.
Amman- December 7, 1992 A board meeting was held in Amman under the Chairmanship of Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, and attended by all members of the Board.
ASPIP’s magazine was the first issue on the agenda. Members of the Board decided to publish all trademark and patent laws of different Arab countries and emphasized the importance of conducting research on a regular basis to further promote the magazine. It was decided that issues of the magazine should be translated into English to widen the circulation of the magazine and better serve the business community.
More detailed discussions on the First Arab International Conference on the Protection of Industrial Property were conducted. The Board also decided that ASPIP is to sponsor the establishment of an Arab association for anti- counterfeiting and unfair competition in coordination with the British Society. It was agreed to have the headquarters in Amman and be titled “Arab Anti-Counterfeiting Association.”
Finally, the Board decided to hold the next board meeting in Munich, Germany. Istanbul- August 25, 1993 An Annual General Meeting of ASPIP was held on August 25, 1994 at Sheraton Istanbul, Turkey. The meeting was held under Chairmanship of Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh and attended by all members of ASPIP. In his opening remarks, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh welcomed all members to the Annual General Meeting and indicated that sufficient members were present for a quorum.
In this meeting, all members approved the Board of Directors’ report for the year 1992, the balance sheet for the year 1992, the proposed budget for 1993 and all agreed to re-assign ASPIP’s auditor for the upcoming period.
In compliance with article 9 of the statutes, all members agreed to discharge ASPIP’s Board of Directors and extended many thanks for all their efforts to further ASPIP’s goals and enhance the field in the Arab World. In execution of the semiannual re-election of board members, a few members resigned from the Board and new ones were nominated to join effective January 1, 1993 until December 31, 1994. The new elected members are:
Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Qader Al-Haj (Yemen)
Mr. Goma’a Mansour (Libya)
Mr. Ghassan Shallhoub (Syria)
Dr. Fouad Boustani (Lebanon)
Mr. Ahmad Abdel -Fattah El-Sanhoury (Egypt)
Mr. Sanhoury was also elected by the Board as the treasurer for the upcoming period.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh congratulated new members and welcomed their contribution and efforts to further ASPIP’s objectives in the region.
Munich - July 25, 1994 On July 25, 1994, the Annual General Meeting of ASPIP was held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh who started by greeting all attendees and guests and welcoming them to ASPIP’s annual gathering.
All members approved the Board of Directors’ report for the year 1993, the balance sheet for the year 1993, the proposed budget for 1994 and all agreed to re-assign ASPIP’s auditor for the upcoming period in an honorary capacity and without fees.
Issues discussed by attendees included the preparation of the Intellectual Property Dictionary and the study on establishing an Arab Patent Office . Such study is to be presented to the Arab League. Towards the end of the meeting, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh thanked, all those whose efforts and contributions in ASPIP’s activities are evident and proposed that next annual general meeting be held in Amman in September1995.
Munich, July 25, 1994 ASPIP’s Board of Directors met on the same day, July 25, 1994, in Munich to outline ASPIP’s future course of action. The concerns of the meeting were numerous, i.e. the translation of the new international classification for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the role of the Arab Association for Confrontation of Counterfeiting and Trade Deception. The meeting also dealt with administrative matters such as members’ fees and ASPIP’s magazine.
Another major issue that was discussed at the meeting is the masters in Intellectual Property program proposed to further qualify registrars and examiners at the Arab registration offices. It was decided to form a committee to examine the different aspects of forming such program and the different technical and legal topics that have to be covered in that regard. It was agreed that ASPIP seeks the technical assistance of representative of international and Arab organizations and universities to put together such qualifying program.
ASPIP Activities
The Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property (ASPIP), since establishment, has played a vital role in advising the Arab countries on the legislation of industrial property protection and in trying to develop unified trademark and patent laws. The aim of its efforts is to increase the understanding of industrial property protection in the Arab World, and promote awareness of the necessity of international protection of industrial property. It strives to improve, standardize and harmonize internationally accepted legislation in the field.
United Nations Development Program - July 1991 The President of ASPIP, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, together with other ASPIP members, attended the Introductory Training Conference on Intellectual Property for the Arab Countries. The conference was held in Cairo in July 1991, and coordinated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The conference was attended by prominent characters in the field of industrial property and by numerous delegations working in the different trademark and patent offices in the Arab countries. Discussions tackled significant issues pertaining to intellectual property protection; i.e. international laws and legislation, the sophisticated methods of keeping, recording, and organizing files of trademark and patent offices. Methods such as the CD-ROM system which can file more than one million patents on a disk no larger than a phonograph disk were illustrated. This system was introduced to the Egyptian Patent Office a year ago, and now other Arab countries are planning to implement the same system in their patent offices.
TMP Agents’ representatives raised an important issue regarding the necessity of establishing a Central Arab Patent Bureau identical to the European Patent Office in Munich. The purpose is to provide a better service to inventors and trademark owners by processing trademark and patent applications in a way that grants simultaneous protection in all Arab countries.
Asian Patent Attorneys Association - Nov. 9, 1991 In Auckland, New Zealand, the President of ASPIP, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, was invited to participate in the AnnualMeeting of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association. (APAA). The meeting studied issues related to intellectual property protection including patent prolongation and European patents activities.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh held a separate meeting with APAA President and the Executive Officer to explore means of cooperation and promoting the profession in all Asian countries. The meeting was attended by representatives from different countries in Asia and by observers of specialized international organizations. ASPIP was the only Arab organization representing the profession in the Arab world and taking part in this important international gathering on intellectual property protection.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Saudi Arabia - Dec. 18, 1991
On behalf of ASPIP, the President Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, presented a paper at the second seminar on “Counterfeiting & Infringement” organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, December 18, 1991.
The seminar was inaugurated by H.E. the Chairman of the Chamber along with an exhibition of counterfeited products.
Among the valuable papers submitted in the seminar, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s examined the regional and international problems of counterfeiting and emphasized the crucial role played by governmental and non-governmental organizations to stand against such phenomena. On the international level, the paper highlighted ASPIP’s remarkable role through its memberships in WIPO, ECOSOC, and the UNDP as well as other organizations.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh concluded his paper with his recommendations to stand against such conduct. He expressed his gratitude to be the Chamber for hosting and managing the seminar and to the Minister of Commerce for his efforts in this regard.
National Academy of Science - Jan 8 1992 The President Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, attended a conference in Washington DC on “Global Dimensions of Intellectual Property in Science (NAS) during the period January 8-9, 1992.
Among the issues explored by professionals and noted scholars are History and Theory of Intellectual property Rights - Convergence and Divergence in IPR, Technology and Global Relationships - Definitions of Adequate and Appropriate Protection of Intellectual practical case-studies. Among the papers presented in the conference were “Why a Uniform Intellectual Property System Makes Senses for the World”, “Unauthorized use of Intellectual Property: Effects on Investment, Technology Transfer, and Innovation”, Adapting the Intellectual Property System to New Technologies” and a case study on “Computer Software Packages”.
United States Trademark Association - Feb. 5, 1992-
The U.S Trademark Association (USTA) held a historic symposium on February 5-8,1992 in Cannes, France, under the theme “Making History: Trademarks in 2017.” Approximately, 45 leading prominent organizations from throughout the world were invited. Among the appointed delegates, Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh and N.E Habib Bourguibe Jr. represented ASPIP.
Among the issues discussed in the symposium were the creation and protection of trademarks in 2017 and how our historical vision of a trademark will change. Will there be changes in the nature of what and how property is protected? What are the benefits of multilateral or regional harmonization and of a worldwide harmonized law? Is there opportunity for a unified global law? What will be the status of national and local trademarks?
In this gathering, which was a turning point towards developing and harmonizing trademark practices in the world of today and the next century, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh presented a paper on “The Need for a Marshal Plan to Globalize Intellectual Property Protection.” In this paper, he emphasized the importance of narrowing the gap between industrialized and developing countries and stressed the significance of harmonizing industrial property law worldwide. Mr Abu-Ghazaleh also indicated that it is essential for the developing and the industrialized countries to work as partners in the field of storing and handling data. “Sorting data electronically instead of in paper form will become a prerequisite for future maintenance of the industrial property system,” stated Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh.
Qatari Chamber of Commerce - May 22,1992 Under the patronage of H.E. the Qatari Ministry of Education and Commerce, Sheikh Hammad Bin Jassim Al-Thani, a seminar on “the Protection of Intellectual Property Legislation in Arab Countries” was coordinated by ASPIP in cooperation with the Qatari Chamber of Commerce.
The seminar was attended by a number of Arab trademark and patent registrars m addition to officials and businessmen from different Arab countries. Among the distinguished guests was Dr. Erich Hausser, the president of the German Patent Office.
In its concluding session in Doha, the seminar recommended the following:
1) The necessity of strengthening the bonds of professional fraternity and reinforcing the concept of the protection of the industrial property through cooperation between ASPIP and Arab National Societies.
2) Encouraging more and more countries to accede to the Paris Convention of 1983 in order to harmonize the laws and legislation all aspects of the profession
3) Forming a unified Arab Model Law to organize all aspects of the profession.
4) Establishing a “Central Arab Patent Bureau” similar to the European Patent Office so that it would be possible to deposit one application to cover all Arab countries in which protection is sought.
Economic and Social Council of the United Nations - Oct. 21,1992 Within the context of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, a round table conference convened on Wednesday, October 21, 1992, at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. The president of ASPIP, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, was invited to attend this unique event which brought together representatives of permanent missions to the United Nations and of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultation with ECOSOC.
This round table conference was organized by the Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations in cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The conference was on “The Human Being as the Focus for United Nations
Action” and offered an opportunity to develop a dialogue between governments and non-governmental organizations in consultative status.
ASPIP was admitted to the United Nations Economics and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1989, as a non-governmental organization. ASPIP regularly participates in all of ECOSOC’S meetings and activities.
United States Trademark Association - Nov. 11, 1992 During the period November 11 - 14, 1992, the United States Trademark Association (USTA) held its biannual meeting of committees in conjunction with a forum entitled “Language and the Law” in Florida, USA. This forum focused on the use and misuse of language in the business community. A variety of professionals and scholars shared their expertise on improving the clarity and therefore persuasiveness of both oral and written communications.
The President of ASPIP, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, participated in these meetings, particularly the Editorial Board Meeting to which Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh was elected during USTA’s Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada. The meeting discussed various important issues such as keeping up-to-date and being competitive, what is in the pipeline for 1993, the priorities of the reviewer’s role, the nature of reviews of original articles and published materials, and a look at 1992 in retrospect.
Russian Association for Industrial Protection - Jan. 25, 1993 During the period January 25 -30, 1993, ASPIPparticipated in an international seminar in Moscow on the protection of trademarks, company names and appellations on goods in the Russian Federation.
The purpose of the meeting was to acquaint local and foreign professionals with a recent Russian law that governs the legal, organizational and economic relations in the field of creation, protection and use of trademarks, service marks and appellations on goods. The law was passed by the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation on June 14, 1992, and was reconsidered on September 13, 1992, to bring it into line with the new Russian Constitution.
Some of the issues that were addressed in the sessions include: the legal basis for trademarks; the role of trademarks in promotion of national exports; and the new examination process adopted for trademark applications.
World Intellectual Property Organization - Dec. 10, 1993 ASPIP’s President, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, participated in a meeting with nongovernmental organizations to discuss recent developments in intellectual property protection laws.
The informal gathering, held at the headquarters of’ the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, was for two reasons. First, participants were informed about the future plans of WIPO in the field of industrial property and copyright protection. Second, leaders of WIPO also heard from participants their comments, wishes and suggestions concerning the activities of WIPO in the field of industrial property and copyright protection.
United States Information Service - March 22, 1994 The President of ASPIP, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, participated in Worldnet Symposium via satellite on Intellectual Property Rights Protection hosted by the U.S Information Services in Amman, Jordan on March 22, 1994.
Experts from Amman, Kuwait and Abu-Dhabi discussed issues related to intellectual property rights protection with Dr. Jacques J.Gorlin, a U.S economic consultant. This seminar was the first of its kind in the Arab World.
ASPIP Future Activities
The Academy of ScientifIc Research and Technology - February 1995 Under the patronage of Her Excellency, Dr. Venice Kamel Gouda, the Egyptian Minister for Scientific Research, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology will hold a general technical meeting for all Arab patent offices.
The agenda of the meeting will include the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) and its implications for the practice of the profession in the region. The fact that Arab patent registrars now have to face the new challenge of the era will also be a major issue on the agenda. The meeting will take place during February, 1995.
Together with patent registrars, legal advisors, senior scientific researches from different Arab patent offices, members of ASPIP will be present to exchange ideas and opinions on the latest developments inthe field. ASPIP members will recommend the adoption of a working plan to establish an Arab Regional PatentOffice which is to be in line with the European Patent Office and the African Patent Office. ASPIP members also suggested that the working plan to be the basis of the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League inits upcoming gathering.
Intellectual Property Seminar - July, 1994 In cooperation with the German Patent Office, ASPIP plans to hold a seminar on the importance of industrial and intellectual property protection. The seminar will be held at the Mariott Hotel inMunich on July 25, 1994, and will highlight some basic aspects of industrial property protection. The seminar will be attended by ASPIP members, experts of industrial property protection, trademark registrars and patent attorneys from different countries.
President of the German Patent Office, Dr. Erich Hausser, together with Mr.
from Frank Gobel, the President of the German Trademark Office, will deliver the
opening statements and share their views on how a comprehensive system for
industrial property protection should operate. Experts from the German Patent
Office will give a survey of the basic legal and administrative aspects of patent
and trademark protection laws. The seminar is designed to address practitioners
as well as non-specialists. It aims at increasing the participants’ awareness of the importance of industrial property protection by providing an insight into its underlying principles.
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) - July, 1995 The Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual property was given the chance to contribute in the development of the intellectual protection laws in the newly developed Palestinian state. The intellectual property protection laws are being drafted by IP experts and scholars and will be presented to the Legislation Authority in July, 1995.
The proposed intellectual property laws are being drafted in a way as to provide a proper framework for creative industrial development and investment by all interested parties, including local firms & individuals, expatriate Palestinians, Jordanians, multi-national firms, etc. Plans of Cooperation and Technical Assistance are being discussed with officials at the PNA. ASPIP experts shall save no efforts in providing all possible support and assistance towards establishing a sound intellectual property protection system in the newly development Palestinian state.
Intellectual Property Seminar -- September, 1995 Under the patronage of His Majesty, King Hussein the First of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, ASPIP will organize a seminar in September, 1995. The seminar will be held back to back with the SI Annual Meeting of Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG) which is the first time to convene outside the European continent and particularly in the Arab world.
Attended by 300 professionals from countries around the world, the seminar will examine IP issues that play a vital role in the development of legislation and public awareness related in intellectual property protection in the Arab region. Through constructive communication among Arab states, ASPIP strives to create effective interaction between national and international intellectual property circles to address issues that contribute towards the advancement and progress of our economy. Issues to be addressed in the seminar include the registration of pharmaceutical brands in the Arab countries, the need for an Arab Patent Office affiliated with the Arab League and the need for an MIP qualifications (Masters in Intellectual Property) recognized by the Arab League to qualify practitioners of the field.
ASPIP Accomplishments In its capacity as advisor to various Arab Governments on intellectual property matters, ASPIP has carried out a number of assignments related to devising new laws or modifying existing ones.
The following are some of the major assignments undertaken by the ASPIP task force:
Jordan Study on the draft of trademark law in Jordan. Assistance also covered preparation of a comparative study on the proposed copyright laws of Jordan and the consequent application of these laws.
Tunisia Preparation of a draft of trademark and industrial design laws as well as assistance in implementing the regulations.
Yemen Preparation of a draft of trademark, patent, industrial design and tradesman laws for application in the unified territories of the Republic of Yemen.
Aden Preparation of the draft and implementing regulations, for the intellectual property protection laws of South Yemen, prior to unification.
Libya Analysis-study on the Trademark Office in Libya, and proposing a plan for the
efficient administration of the office, through the use of modern techniques and apparatus.
United Arab Emirates Study on the intellectual property laws of the United Arab Emirates and preparation of the executive regulations of the federal law. This included the training of personnel on a continuous basis by a team of experts to assist in the registration process.
Oman Preparation and application of the executive regulations of the Omani trademark law and providing a permanent expert to train the personnel at the registration office.
Sharjah Review of the trademark law of the Emirate of Sharjah, and proposal of modifications.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Study on the proposed trademark and patent laws of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
ASPIP has also contributed in the training process of the intellectual property personnel at the registration offices of Oman, Libya, and United Arab Emirates. It has also prepared provision of complete sets of intellectual property laws in the Arab countries to the government of Syria, Yemen, Oman, and Sharjah.
National Societies
ASPIP was founded as a regional society with the ultimate aspiration of founding an independent national society in each of the Arab countries. ASPIP is constantly striving toward the achievement of this objective and has so far been successful in establishing the following national societies:
Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Regional Society -- Germany
Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Regional Society -- Jordan
Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Regional Society -- Egypt
Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Regional Society -- Tunisia
Arab Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Regional Society -- Lebanon
International Dimension
The active role ASPIP has played in the development of legislation and public awareness related to intellectual property issues in the Arab region, and its commitment to facilitating effective interaction between the national and international intellectual property circles, has earned ASPIP international recognition.
ASPIP enjoys close consultative and working relations with the following international institutions:
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - Consultative status of the United Nations
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) -- Observer Status
German Patent Office (GPO) -- sponsorship
In keeping with our policy of establishing our professional integrity on the national level, ASPIP is associated with the Arab Society for Certified Accountants (ASCA), the Arab Management Society (AMS), and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh International (TAGI). In the field of intellectual property, ASPIP has close relations with the leading professional firm, Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) - TMP Agents.
ASPIP Publications ASPIP strives to better educate trademark and patent registirars of the most recent concepts and laws in the field. The different books, guides and periodicals published by the society are to fulfill this purpose of ASPIP.
Periodicals
Intellectual Property Protection (monthly) Books and Guides ASPIP Information Guide Trademark laws in the Arab Countries
ASPIP Information Guide (Jordan) Qatar Trademark Laws
ASPIP Information Guide (Egypt) Patents law in the Arab Countries
ASPIP Information Guide (Lebanon) Copyright Laws in the Arab
Countries
ASPIP Information Guide (Tunis) IntellectualProperty Laws (UAE)
ASPIP Annual Report 1988 Saudi Copyright Law
ASPIP Annual Report 1989 Terms of Industrial Property in the Arab
Countries
ASPIP Annual Report 1990-1993 Arab Agreement for the Protection of
Copyright & Intellectual Property Status in the Arab Countries