WAM Sharjah, May 22nd, 2012 (WAM)--Emirates Publishers Association signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation with the Emirates Intellectual Property Association to jointly set the general framework of strategic cooperation between the two parties and to identify basic guidelines and areas of cooperation between the two parties in order to achieve their common interests in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

The signing of the MOU was attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Emirates Publishers Association, and Major General Dr Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidali, Chairman of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association who signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.

The two year agreement aims to support and develop the work mechanisms of the two parties, coordinate and strengthen cooperation, raise awareness on the importance of intellectual property among all segments of society, and provide optimal care and technical, legal, and management expertise in this regard.

In her speech on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi reiterated the importance of such agreements in developing the publishing industry in the country. She stated that the Emirates Publishers Association would continue working to protect the rights of publishers and authors in joint cooperation with the EIPA in several important areas. She said, "I am fully confident that the agreement will serve the interests of both parties".

Sheikha Bodour emphasised the importance of intellectual property protection in the UAE, as well as its role in enhancing publishers' work and contributing to overall economic development in the country. She added that the intellectual property protection helps regulate fair competition and advocates the discovery and promotion of creative works. She also pointed out that the UAE's current intellectual property laws are part of the Emirates' commitment to a number of international agreements, including the TRIPS agreement.

She said that intellectual property protection sets the standard for the cultural development of a nation and has already become not only a global trend, but also an essential requirement for cultural development and creativity. Sheikha Bodour underlined that protection laws are of a paramount importance for supporting and encouraging creativity and innovators in all areas. She concluded, "Protecting the intellectual property of a country is protecting its cultural future, and scientific and technological progress. Intellectual property protection is a sign of development that the entire world seeks to adopt. It is required from all of us to help enforce these laws from our side." For his part, Major General Dr Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidali, Chairman of the EIPA, said that this MoU is a vital step forward in the right direction to establish positive relations between the two parties. He expressed hopes that the cooperation will serve the interests of both parties and the entire community. He added, "We believe this agreement is a first step towards greater cooperation on various levels, to jointly serve the interests of our community".

He said that the UAE leads the way in joining the regional and international intellectual property agreements and coping with the changes and developments in this regard. "Several amendments have been made to intellectual property law, which is no longer restricted to protecting copyright and trademarks, but has been expanded to include patents and setting legislation to fight piracy and cyber crime. There are constant endeavours to further develop all areas related to intellectual property rights, to encourage innovators and finance and invest in their projects," he added.

The agreement will enhance cooperation between the two parties to develop writing and publishing, exchange studies and practices related to copyright, propagate awareness of intellectual property and its regulations, and seek to highlight the importance of protecting copyright.

As per the agreement, both parties will develop advanced programmes and awareness campaigns to spread awareness about intellectual property through public and private organisations in the UAE, raise awareness on the benefits of legal publishing, encourage the ownership of legal books and publications, and clarify the economic and social impact of the copyright infringement.

According to the agreement, the EIPA will participate in the courses and workshops organised by the EPA and will offer advice on intellectual property and methods of protection to the newly selected EPA's members.

The UAE is well known for its commitment to international laws related to publishing, and its entry into many international agreements. It is a signatory to the Berne Convention, the Treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organization, the TRIPS Agreement of the WTO, and the Arab Convention for the protection of copyright, also classified as the first in the Arab world, and is one of the top 30 countries globally in the protection of copyright and Intellectual Property.

WAM/MN