RIYADH - The Saudi Intellectual Property Authority (SIPA) has held a workshop in Riyadh to discuss and outline SIPA work strategy. The said workshop was attended by representatives of government institutions, intellectual property agents, universities, research centers, technology incubators, innovation based institutions, small and medium enterprises, industry sector, international companies and world experts, representatives of intellectual property offices of several countries, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Saudi Intellectual Property Authority aims, through the discussions of these round tables, to review and study the strategic bases of the SIPA and to discuss these strategies with the international experts to reach the final version of the strategy that would enable SIPA to carry out the tasks entrusted to it at all levels.
The Saudi Intellectual Property Authority is considered one of the initiatives of the Trade and Investment System within the National Transformation Program 2020. Trade & Investment System has worked to bring SIPA into existence and has set up the regularity arrangements to enable the authority achieving its objectives. All that for the unification of the competent authorities, that have direct relation with the protection of the intellectual property rights in the Kingdom, under one umbrella.
The Saudi Intellectual Property Authority is considered a reference body that contributes to the protection and promotion of the intellectual property rights. It also contributes to raising the Kingdom's rank in the Global Innovation Index, as well as harnessing the financial returns for the development of intellectual property protection services. This would help to boost and improve the business environment, also stimulate the knowledge economy and enhance foreign investments in the Kingdom, besides promoting the work of small and medium enterprises, in addition to paving the way for the creativity and innovations of the Saudi youth.
It is worth mentioning that the board of directors of the Saudi Intellectual Property Authority started its meetings last month under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Investment, Chairman of the said Board, Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qasabi.
The Saudi Intellectual Property Authority is responsible for preparing the national strategy for the intellectual property, also following up its implementation after the required approval, developing work plans and time schedules in coordination and cooperation with the relevant authorities, as well as proposing Rules and Regulations related to the intellectual property rights, also representing the Kingdom in the international and regional organizations related to the intellectual property rights , and defending its interests, besides expressing the opinion and point of view regarding the international agreements related to the intellectual property rights, as well as following up the implementation of the obligations resulting from the Kingdom's accession to the international conventions related to the intellectual property, it endeavors to promote availing from the intellectual property services. This is to build an advanced knowledge-based economy, as well as establishing databases within the Authority's scope of work, also the exchange of information with local, regional and global bodies. It also gives licenses for the activities related to its work.