UAE ramps up cooperation to boost intellectual property

The UAE is keen to enhance international level cooperation on best practices in intellectual property to build a knowledge based economy, UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri said. The minister’s comment released on the occasion of a high level meeting held between the UAE Ministry of Economy, or MoE, and the Korean Intellectual Property Office, or Kipo, in Dubai. Both sides discussed the setting up of an advance framework of cooperation in the field of intellectual property. “Our objective is to spearhead new initiatives in support of innovation,” Al Mansouri said. The ministry’s delegation was led by Dr Ali Ibrahim Al Hosani, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property, while the Kipo side was led by Dr Kwun Kuiwou, director of its International Cooperation Division. The discussions focused on identifying practical ways of cooperation between the ministry and Kipo to build the UAE’s patent examination capacities and IT system. Both sides agreed to take follow up measures on the discussions and recommendations. Kipo will send a feasibility study team to prepare a set of working environment and logistical and administrative matters necessary to enhance the patent examination process within the MoE. After the preparatory work is done by the feasibility study, the two sides will agree on the steps required to further the cooperation in this area, added Dr Al Hosani. The meeting agreed to cooperate in other comprehensive areas, such as patent examination cooperation, trademarks, designs, IT and capacity-building of human resources in the IP field. The discussions were a part of the strategic partnership between the UAE and South Korea and the positive outcome of the UAE-South Korea Joint Economic Committee meeting conducted earlier in May 2012. As a concrete initiative, it will support the goals outlined in the joint committee meeting, further strengthening the UAE’s strategic partnership with South Korea. The two sides shared the significance of substantial cooperation achieved in patent examination and related automation system for mutual benefit. The UAE is the first Arab country with which the Korean government has initiated comprehensive IP cooperation. From : Khalij