“Glimpse on the Future of Intellectual Property” forum explores new trends in IP rights protection in the face of rapid technological advancements

Ministry of Economy organises the forum in collaboration with Brand Owners’ Protection Group

• H.E. Bin Touq: Forum a valuable opportunity to bolster the role of creativity and innovation in enhancing business environments

• H.E. Dhahi Khalfan underlines UAE’s commitment to keeping pace with rapid advancements to ensure a stimulating environment for creators & entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Economy (MoEc), in collaboration with the Brand Owners’ Protection Group, organised a forum titled ‘Glimpse on the Future of IP’ that discussed the current and future trends in the intellectual property (IP) field. In addition to highlighting the key role of modern technology plays in the application of IP rights in new economic sectors, the forum explored new strategies to combat the counterfeit and pirated goods.

The forum witnessed the participation of distinguished attendees, including H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; H.E. Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai; H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; H.E. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation; H.E. Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidli, Chairman of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association; H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General for the General Authority of Sports; H.E. Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs; Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); and Malek Hannouf, Chairman of the Brand Owners’ Protection Group.

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq affirmed that the UAE has succeeded in establishing a comprehensive framework for IP protection in line with international best practices. These efforts reflect the country's strong belief in the crucial role of IP in driving the sustainability and growth of the national economy. It aims to foster a conducive business environment that supports entrepreneurship, innovation, research, and development, while also attracting talented individuals, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world. Additionally, it ensures robust protection of the innovators and creators’ rights. These efforts support the achievement of the larger goals outlined in the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which seek to position the UAE as a global hub for the new economy, one of the top 10 global destinations for talent in various strategic sectors, and one of the top 15 in the Global Innovation Index (GII).

H.E. Bin Touq said: “The inaugural edition of the Future of IP Forum provides a valuable opportunity to unify the efforts of the public and private sectors as well as the international bodies concerned with the field. The forum’s primary objective is to strengthen the role of the IP sector in fostering the growth and development of various business landscapes. Additionally, it aims to create a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges associated with the implementation of IP protection policies and regulations.”

In his speech, H.E. reviewed the key developments in the UAE’s efforts to ensure IP rights protection. These include the promulgation of three new legislations: the Trademarks Law, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law, and the Industrial Property Rights Regulation and Protection Law. Additionally, a comprehensive system of IP initiatives was launched, comprised of 31 diverse initiatives to protect IP rights across different sectors. H.E. also emphasised the country's commitment to engaging with the global community in this regard by joining key international agreements on IP protection such as the ‘Nice Agreement’, the ‘Madrid Protocol’, the ‘Budapest Treaty’, and the ‘Strasbourg Agreement’. These endeavours have reinforced the UAE's position as a leading hub for IP and innovation in the region.

H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, confirmed that the UAE, thanks to the vision of its wise leadership, continues to lead in the adoption of latest technologies and supporting innovation to achieve the national goal of becoming a global hub for innovation and technology. This is complemented by the introduction of new legislative and legal frameworks that align with this vision, as the country has made significant strides in the development of IP laws that address the new challenges posed by technology advancements. Furthermore, he highlighted the opportunity for further progress in light of advancements in digital technology, particularly the proliferation of AI and Blockchain applications, which necessitate modern and effective frameworks for IP protection.

H.E. Dhahi Khalfan said: “We need to adopt an inclusive approach that considers the economic, social, and cultural dimensions, while also continuing to develop educational and training systems that support innovators and entrepreneurs in this digital age. This approach should provide the necessary tools to leverage technology whilst protecting their intellectual property rights. Moreover, strategies must be established to enhance the role of digital innovation in promoting diversity and increasing community awareness on IP rights protection.”

The forum felicitated several partners and entities in the sector, in appreciation of their continued efforts towards its growth and prosperity, combating piracy, and protecting intellectual property rights across various economic sectors in the country. Among these entities are the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, Dubai Customs, and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property – United Arab Emirates (AIPPI-UAE).

In addition, the forum witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy and the Dubai Future Foundation to enhance cooperation in the fields of IP and its applications, as well as to support innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, and startups in Dubai and the UAE. It also aims to protect copyright, trademarks, and patents, particularly in the digital landscape.

The forum provided an ideal opportunity for the exchange of experiences and insights on protecting intellectual property in the digital age, and to discuss the role of emerging technologies, such as AI, Blockchain, and Big Data, in defining the future of IP. It also emphasized the importance of continued innovation and the development of integrated governance systems to safeguard IP in the future, thereby fostering creativity and knowledge.

Four panel discussions explore future of IP in the face of rapid technological developments

The forum hosted four panel discussions that explored the future of intellectual property in the face of rapid technological advancements. The first panel, titled ‘Harmonious Cooperation: Enhancing Coordination Among International Government Agencies,’ focused on collaboration mechanisms between international and regional entities in monitoring and tracking violations of IP rights and illicit trade. Representatives from the Intellectual Property Crime Division of Dubai Police, the French National Institute of Industrial Property, the International Intellectual Property Crime Investigators College, and the World Customs Organization participated in the session. The participants emphasized the importance of cooperation and the unification of legal and regulatory efforts internationally to achieve effective IP protection globally.

The second panel, titled ‘How Do We Anticipate the Future of Intellectual Property from the Perspective of the Private Sector,’ discussed future trends in the applications of intellectual property within the industrial sector, focusing on how the private sector perceives these trends and their impact on the sector's growth and sustainability. The panel was attended by representatives from the International Intellectual Property Association – United Arab Emirates, the Arab Union for Trade Facilitation and Risk Management, and Nissan Middle East.

The third panel discussion highlighted the diverse growth opportunities that new technology offers to the intellectual property sector. The panel featured representatives from several national institutions and global companies, including the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Alibaba, and Google. The attendees discussed the role of emerging technologies like AI and Blockchain in enhancing innovation opportunities and protecting intellectual property rights, as well as mechanisms to combat violations of these rights in the face of rapid technology advancement.

Finally, the fourth panel discussion titled ‘Intellectual Property, Environment, and Governance’, addressed the importance of supporting the business environment and startups to facilitate the application of intellectual property and enhance its role in the internal policies and executive procedures of companies, ensuring full compliance with the legislation both locally and globally. The panel was attended by representatives from the BEEAH Group, Rawiz Company, and Novagraaf Company.