DUBAI - A delegation from the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai visited Japan recently as part of strengthening cross-border coordination on protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and sharing knowledge on the latest advances in protecting trademarks against counterfeiting and other violations.

 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between DED and the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF) for strategic co-operation on combatting counterfeiting and trademark violations. Tokyo-based IIPPF co-ordinates global action against IP violations by bringing together government bodies, trademark owners and organizations.

According to DED, the agreement is part of DED's efforts to activate and strengthen partnerships to protect brands and trademarks as well as to reinforce Dubai as a competitive business destination.

"The MoU creates a network for sharing expertise and information relating to IP protection. It will also help IIPPF members to be alerted when their trademarks face the threat of counterfeiting. It's a major step towards ensuring faster response to counterfeiting and further partnerships for an improved IP environment, not only in  Dubai and the UAE  but also regionally and internationally," said commented Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in DED.

"Intellectual property protection requires an exceptional level of knowledge and diligence. The growing popularity of Dubai as a retail destination and the high concentration of global brands has particularly necessitates continuous exchange of knowledge on the most advanced techniques and protocols in combatting IP infringements," added Lootah.

The MoU states that DED and IIPPF will work together to implement national as well as international laws and regulations relating to IP protection, highlight the negative impact of trademark violations and support creativity and innovation. The two parties will also develop joint actions and campaigns in protecting IP and exchange information regarding perpetrators of IP violations.

The DED delegation met with representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry in Tokyo and also visited the Japan Patent Office as well as the industrial sites of Nissan and Panasonic. At a seminar held at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) head office during the visit, Mashoor Al Shamsi, Senior Manager, Intellectual Property and Commercial Agencies in DED briefed Japanese officials and industries on the IP protection systems in Dubai.

"The Department of Economic Development is focused on keeping Dubai in the forefront as a competitive IP environment and integrating IP protection as an enabler of confidence and happiness among consumers as well as traders," commented Al Shamsi.