Bodour Al Qasimi Emphasises Importance Of Intellectual Property In Meeting With IFRRO Delegation

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honourary President of the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA), highlighted the importance of intellectual property in boosting creative and cultural industries in the UAE and globally. This was discussed during a meeting with the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO) delegation, led by CEO Anita Huss.

The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation between ERRA and IFRRO to establish a strong foundation for protecting intellectual property rights. Such protection is expected to positively influence economic growth and societal prosperity worldwide. Majd Al Shehhi, Director of ERRA, along with other representatives, participated in these discussions.

During their visit, the IFRRO delegation also met with representatives from the UAE Ministry of Economy. Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry, attended this meeting. The focus was on enhancing efforts to protect intellectual property rights and support the creative economy in the UAE.

The discussions introduced the delegation to the UAE's secure legislative environment for innovators and creators. This environment aligns with international best practices while exploring ways to strengthen partnerships in this area. Recent advancements in UAE’s intellectual property sector include updates to legislation like the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law.

Al Shehhi emphasised educational institutions' role in safeguarding intellectual property and supporting creativity. She stated, "We all recognise the fundamental role of educational institutions in fostering and sharing knowledge, as well as in creating an environment that nurtures creativity and innovation."

She further explained that integrating intellectual property concepts into academia protects creators’ rights while nurturing a generation that values creative works. Copyright management organisations facilitate licences for copying works in universities, schools, public libraries, and copy centres.

Supporting Authors and Publishers

The Emirates Reprographic Rights Association assists educational institutions by providing licenses for printed and digital works. This approach supports knowledge dissemination while respecting copyright laws. By achieving this balance, creativity is fostered, intellectual property is protected, and stakeholders benefit from cultural content.

Anita Huss praised the UAE's model for safeguarding authors' and publishers' rights. She acknowledged their significant contributions to literature and stressed enhanced global coordination for effective collective rights management.

Panel Discussion Insights

A panel discussion moderated by Yasmin Aissaoui featured insights from James Alexander of IFRRO; Fahad Al Mamari from Emirates Library; author Shaikha Al Mteiri; and publisher Mohamed Kandil. They explored intellectual property's economic impact and discussed potential collaborations.

This event was part of a broader programme for the IFRRO delegation that included discussions with the University of Sharjah, cultural tours across the country, and a reception at Sharjah Research Park on 31 October. Representatives from publishing and education sectors shared insights on enhancing copyright protections.

The meeting underscored recent developments within UAE’s intellectual property sector. Earlier this year, a comprehensive framework was launched to stimulate innovation across various sectors including technology and creative industries.

With inputs from WAM