Dubai Delegation Visits INTA Headquarters to Discuss Cooperation on Intellectual Property Promotion and Anticounterfeiting

A delegation from the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) visited INTA’s headquarters in New York, New York, USA on March 20, to exchange insights on global trademark and intellectual property (IP) issues. The group was composed of Mohammed Lootah, CEO, Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector; and Ahmad Almheiri, Senior Manager IP Protection Department.

The DED of the Emirate of Dubai is a government body entrusted to set and drive Dubai’s economic agenda within the broader governance systems of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The DED and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.

The delegation held a working session with INTA staff, including CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo; Bruce MacPherson, Chief Policy Officer; Catherine Shen, Associate, Strategic Partnerships & Unreal Campaign; and Matthew Johnson, Coordinator, External Relations, Enforcement and Internet Policy.

INTA gave an overview of the Association’s Strategic Plan, policy and advocacy priorities, committee structure, and educational activities, underscoring Dubai’s importance as a key player in the promotion and protection of IP rights holders. INTA staff also outlined two of its top programs-the Unreal Campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to educate teenagers about the importance of trademarks and IP, and the dangers of counterfeit products; and its Judges Workshop, in which IP judges from global jurisdiction will engage in open discussion at INTA’s 2019 Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Mr. Lootah then briefed INTA on the recent developments at the DED. In particular, he explained that the DED recently introduced an online IP portal to receive and process complaints and ramped up its efforts to fight counterfeit trade in the UAE. As a result, Mr. Lootah noted, numerous websites were taken down and IP right holders enforced.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on potential areas of cooperation between the two entities. It was agreed that IP promotion, the fight against counterfeited goods, and enforcement activities would constitute the backbone of DED-INTA cooperation.

INTA Representative Tat-Tienne Louembe supports the Association’s 437 members across Africa and the Middle East. In collaboration with the staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City and Representatives Offices around the world, Mr. Louembe works on the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in these regions. To learn more about INTA’s activities in Africa and the Middle East, please contact Tat-Tienne Louembe at [email protected].

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