INTA Engages Startups at Dead Sea Forum

The 2022 MENA ICT Forum took place at the Dead Sea in Jordan, November 16‒17. The MENA ICT Forum brings together regional leaders in business, innovation, and technology to discuss and spread awareness about the future of technologies to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The biannual event is organized by the Information and Communications Telecommunication Association of Jordan and aims to address how technology can help in solving pressing challenges that most nations face today, including alarming unemployment rates, health care, rebuilding digital economies, and bridging the gap between societies in hope for a better life for all citizens.

INTA participated in the event, leading an interactive session which covered (I) agreements that startups usually have with investors and venture capitalists; (2) intellectual property (IP) rights; and (3) legal requirements. The session was designed specifically for entrepreneurs and startups participating in the Forum.

Charles Shaban, INTA Middle East consultant, discussed the different types of IP services, answered attendees’ questions about IP rights in general, as well as specific questions on how startups should protect their copyrights, patents, and trademarks. He also covered the protection of trademarks in the metaverse (noting that some jurisdictions, such as China, the European Union, and the United States, are now permitting brand owners to protect their marks in the metaverse); and how to protect downloadable and non-downloadable products, and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), in the metaverse.

More than 2,000 delegates from 40 countries attended the Forum. The event presented INTA with an opportunity to meet with local members as well as potential members interested in learning more about the Association.

INTA Consultant Charles Shaban supports the Association’s members across Africa and the Middle East. In collaboration with the staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City and Representative Offices around the world, Mr. Shaban works on the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in these regions. Please contact Mr. Shaban to learn more about INTA’s activities in Africa and the Middle East.

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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