INTA Participates in Anticounterfeiting Training in Jordan

Charles Shaban, Chief Representative Officer, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at INTA, participated in a specialized two-day training program in Jordan focused on the identification and detection of counterfeit products. It was organized by the Brand Owners Protection Group (Gulf BPG), a non-profit organization aimed at improving intellectual property (IP) rights enforcement and laws across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Yemen. The program brought together officials from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, Jordan Customs, the Public Security Directorate (police), and the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) for practical discussions on enforcement cooperation and brand protection.

The training reflected INTA’s continued commitment to supporting public authorities and strengthening capacity-building efforts across the Middle East and Africa. Counterfeiting remains a complex challenge for consumers, businesses, and enforcement agencies, requiring coordinated action, practical knowledge sharing, and sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors. The session provided an opportunity to highlight common enforcement challenges, exchange experience, and reinforce the importance of effective cooperation in protecting consumers, legitimate trade, investment, and public confidence in the marketplace.

As part of the program, INTA provided registrants with an overview of the Association, its global strategy, and the role of its volunteer committees in advancing trademark protection and broader IP objectives. The presentation highlighted how INTA’s committees help translate member expertise into practical resources, policy positions, advocacy initiatives, and capacity-building programs that support governments, rights holders, and other stakeholders around the world. It also underscored the value of regional engagement in ensuring that global tools and messages are responsive to local enforcement priorities.

A central focus of the briefing was the work of INTA’s Anticounterfeiting Committee (ACC), including its Middle East and Africa Subcommittee. Attendees were introduced to the ACC’s priorities in promoting stronger enforcement cooperation, supporting anticounterfeiting education, and encouraging dialogue among brand owners, enforcement officials, policymakers, and other partners. The Middle East and Africa Subcommittee was presented as an important platform for regional engagement, helping to identify local priorities, facilitate information exchange, and connect INTA’s global anticounterfeiting work with the practical needs of authorities and stakeholders in the region.

The session also addressed INTA’s work on artificial intelligence (AI) and IP. Participants were briefed on the Association’s engagement with AI-related developments and on the basic principles on AI and IP approved by INTA’s Board last year. The discussion emphasized the need to support innovation while promoting transparency, accountability, respect for IP rights, and balanced approaches to emerging technologies. These issues are increasingly relevant for brand protection, enforcement, online infringement, evidence gathering, and the future operation of IP offices and enforcement systems.

INTA extends its appreciation to Gulf BPG for organizing this important initiative and to all participating officials for their engagement and contributions. The Association looks forward to continuing its cooperation with partners in Jordan and across the region to advance effective IP protection, strengthen enforcement capacity, and support a trusted marketplace for businesses and consumers.

The program also reinforced INTA’s broader regional approach of combining policy dialogue, practical training, and stakeholder cooperation to achieve meaningful outcomes for the IP community.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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