Arab News, Tuesday, Sep 22, 2020 | Safar 05, 1442
Saudi Arabia highlights its achievements in protecting intellectual property rights
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia highlighted during a global
gathering the advances it has made in protecting intellectual property rights.
The Kingdom is taking part in the 61st General Assembly of the member states of
the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The event began at the
organization’s headquarters in Geneva on Sept. 21 and continues until Sept. 25.
The Saudi delegation is led by Abdul Aziz Al-Swailem, the CEO of the Saudi
Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), and includes a number of officials
from the authority.
Abdul Aziz Al-Wasil, the Saudi ambassador to the UN in Geneva, delivered The
Kingdom’s speech on the opening day, during which he congratulated Daren Tang on
his appointment as WIPO’s new director-general. He also praised the organization
for its use of artificial intelligence technology in its work and the services
it provides.
He also highlighted the fact that Saudi Arabia has signed up to the Locarno
Agreement and the Vienna Agreement, WIPO treaties designed to make it easier for
brand owners and designers to protect their work, and added that the Kingdom
intends to join more treaties by the end of the year. He also said that the SAIP
has been working to establish a national committee for the enforcement of
intellectual property rights, and to create and develop related laws.
The SAIP has carried out a number inspection campaigns and investigations, Al-Wasil
said. More than 1,000 websites were monitored and 230 blocked over intellectual
property violations. In addition, more than 300 stores were inspected and more
than 5,000 items confiscated that were in breach of intellectual property
rights.