The first-of-its-kind Intellectual Property Protection Advisory Board was launched by the Department of Economic Development (DED) as a public-private partnership to enhance the UAE’s global ranking for competitiveness.
A DED official will be head of the board, with members from industry sectors such as automobiles, electronics, fashion and fragrances, Emirates 247 reported. It will meet each quarter and discuss feedback and recommendations on negative practices and devise strategies to combat them.
The group will also look at investing in HR via education and training in protecting patents, while members will participate in events and roundtables across the globe to share updates on fake products and preventing them from entering the market.
Mohammed Rashed Ali Lootah, Executive Director of Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) for the DED, said: “The board will be a valuable support in creating awareness in the market on the latest trends and techniques adopted by trademark violators. It will in effect be the voice of trademark owners in Dubai to raise their concerns before the appropriate authorities.
“At the same time the board will promote sharing of knowledge and best practices in IP protection.”