Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy at the time, the UAE Ministry of Economy, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Khasawneh & Associates Legal Consultants Dubai hosted the ‘Arab Intellectual Property Forum’ on 8-9 January 2008. This key international event provided the opportunity to discuss policy issues surrounding intellectual property rights, highlighted success stories of companies that have created a substantial market and demand for businesses anchored in intellectual property and provided an opportunity for interaction between entrepreneurs, regionally based companies and leading multinationals.
The two-day forum focused on anti piracy and counterfeiting issues particularly the enforcement of intellectual property rights and combating the flow of counterfeit products. The forum also addressed electronic commerce, intellectual property and arbitration matters relating to cyber crime laws and exploitation of domain names as well as the use of IP in franchising and brand management techniques that build successful businesses.
The forum took place at the Hilton Abu Dhabi and included a luncheon and a gala dinner. It was the first event of its kind in the UAE with over 200 delegates attending. The forum was recognized and documented by local as well as international electronic and print media.