The UAE ministry of economy (MoE) will be hosting the first Arab Intellectual Property Forum under the patronage of UAE Minister of Economy Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi.

The event will be held in Abu Dhabi on January 8 and 9, 2008. Over 300 dignitaries, special interest groups, executives and international experts are expected to attend the event, which is being organised by the ministry as a major initiative in its continuing efforts to combat intellectual property rights (IPR) violations that impede the country and the region’s full economic potential.

The forum, organised with the full support of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and Khasawneh & Associates, will provide in-depth discussions on various IPR issues, including cross-border cooperation, public awareness campaigns, electronic commerce and online crimes, said an official spokesman.

It will also tackle challenges in IP management and identify successful strategies that optimise business potential.

“This global event provides an important opportunity to debate and discuss IPR policies and sets a platform to highlight the success stories of companies who were able to build strong markets with their IP-centered businesses,” said Sheikha Lubna.

“Moreover, this forum provides an opportunity for regional and international companies to proactively discuss IPR issues, with emphasis on IP law enforcement and efforts against product imitation. Aside from concession procedures, licensing and trademark management, participants will also talk about electronic crimes and the exploitation of Web site names,' she added.
 
The first workshop will tackle piracy and counterfeiting and the various initiatives being implemented to prevent it from proliferating across the region. It will also highlight the critical role of consumers in combating piracy, and the strong impact of an effective public awareness campaign in boosting law enforcement efforts.

The second workshop will address issues concerning electronic commerce, electronic theft and various crimes committed on the web. The third workshop will focus on licensing and management of trademarks and will examine various business models and opportunities. – TradeArabia News Service