DUBAI - United Arab Emirates: 30 Dubai, Sharjah and Northern Emirates top law enforcement officials are to undergo extensive two-day training on intellectual property rights which will further enable them to identify illegal and counterfeit activities as well as raise awareness on Intellectual Property Rights. The workshop, which will be held on April 7th & 14th at the Millennium Hotel, in Sharjah, is organised by the Brand Owners Protection Group (BPG), in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Economy - Control Department.
Mr. Omar Shteiwi, the Chairman of the BPG and the Regional Intellectual Property Advisor for Nestlé Middle East said: "The aim of the workshop is to provide awareness to local law enforcement officials of all forms of violation against Intellectual Property rights. The workshop will also highlight on counterfeit trade and will demonstrate various ways to identify and prevent this illegal activity which is a menace to society and the economy."
The participating local law enforcers who will attend the training are composed of officials from the Ministry of Economy, the Sharjah Municipality, Um-el-Quwain Municipality, Department of Economic Development in RAK, Department of Economic Development in Um-el-Quwain, Dubai Customs, Sharjah Customs, RAK Customs, Al-Fujairah Customs.
It is worthy to note that this workshop is second in line in a series of continued awareness workshops, the most recent one was held on January 2008 in Dubai. "The ongoing training workshops throughout the UAE and soon in the GCC aim to significantly reduce malicious activities which violates the intellectual property rights of the legitimate brand owners as they create awareness for the various law enforcers who are directly involved in uncovering counterfeits and illegal traders. The training sessions will tremendously help the enforcers to easily identify what is authentic from what is fake." Mr. Shteiwi added.
Participating at the workshop are BPG members Beiersdorf, BMW, Black & Decker, Daimler, Kao Brands Company, Nestlé, Philip Morris, and Sanofi Aventis.
Mr. Shteiwi said: "The BPG greatly appreciates the efforts of Ministry of Economy in organizing and their active participation in the selection of the officials from the different law enforcement agencies who will attend this workshop. This is a true indication of the successful cooperation between the private and public sector where the MOE's - Control Department has not only played a dynamic and proactive role in coordinating the event with BPG, but has also shown exemplary commitment and determination to put an end to illegal and counterfeit activities and to protect Intellectual Property Rights. This also demonstrates the high importance which the Ministry put on the importance of training the law enforcers who plays an important role on combating counterfeiting activities in all forms."
During 2008 the BPG has stepped up its drive against illegal trade and IPR protection through a series of activities that have included various training workshops, conferences, and awareness campaigns. The BPG has the full support and cooperation from the UAE government which is very keen on eradicating counterfeit products and all forms of illegal trade in addition to protecting intellectual property rights at all costs and means.
The BPG is a non-profit organization set up to fight illegal replication of genuine goods and other forms of illegal trade and strengthening the enforcement of intellectual property rights. BPG members include Beiersdorf Middle East, Black & Decker (Overseas) A.G., BMW Group Middle East, British American Tobacco, Daimler Middle East FZE, Estee Lauder Middle East FZE, Ford Motor Company, GlaxoSmithKline, GM Overseas Distribution Corp., Johnson & Johnson M.E., Kao Brands Company, Kraft Foods, Master Foods Middle East, Nestle Middle East FZE, Philip Morris Management Services Middle East Ltd., Phillips International, Procter & Gamble, Sanofi Aventis, and Unilever.
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© Press Release 2008
