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Dubai Customs has underscored the importance of Intellectual Property Rights, IPR, protection as a key driver for innovation and sustainability in all sectors.
"Ensuring the rights of innovators, manufacturers, and trademark owners is indispensable to guarantee the continuity of their products and so the profitability of their investments and creations," said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director-General of Dubai Customs, while addressing the annual celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day 2019, which falls on 26th April, at Maydan Hotel in the presence of Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security of Dubai, alongside representatives from government agencies, trademarks holders, and a number of senior executives from Dubai Customs.
In his welcome speech, Musabih said, "The United Arab Emirates devotes great attention to securing businesses’ and individuals’ intellectual and industrial property to support the creation of a fair and competitive environment, where new ideas and innovations are protected and where counterfeiting is a criminal offence the society should be guarded against. The UAE joined the Intellectual Property Organization in 1975. When it comes to encouraging innovation and creativity, we are amongst the leading nations. Our wise leadership has always nurtured creative ideas and supported talents in fulfilment of a future vision of leading the 4th industrial revolution."
Musabih further explained that Dubai Customs works hard to combat counterfeiting and prevent fake products from entering the country. "Last year, we made 272 seizures of fake products, with an estimated value of AED52 million. In the first quarter of 2019, AED11 million worth of IP-infringing items totalling 23,000 products of 16 trademarks were intercepted in 68 seizures."
"Since its launch in 2007, the award has seen the participation of more than 198,000 students from 172 schools and 30 universities. We are happy today to award the schools and universities that have won the 2018-2019 cycle," Musabih said.
Yousef Ozair Mubarak, Director of the IPR Department, delivered the World Intellectual Property Organization, IP Day message on behalf of Director-General, Francis Gurry.
This year’s World Intellectual Property Day campaign – Reach for Gold: IP and Sports – takes a close look inside the world of sports. It explores how innovation, creativity and the IP rights that encourage and protect them support the development of sport and its enjoyment around the world.
During the ceremony, Musabih awarded the winners of the IP Award for Schools and Universities for the academic year 2018-2019.
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