Dubai Customs Introduces Basma Award To Promote Innovation And Protect Intellectual Property Rights

Dubai Customs has introduced the "Basma (Imprint)" Award, aligning with the UAE's "Year of Community" objectives. This initiative aims to nurture talent and foster innovation while promoting awareness about intellectual property rights. The award is split into two categories: one for the general public and another for students in schools and universities. It encourages young people to understand the dangers of counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations.

Yousef Ozair Mubarak, Director of the IPR Department at Dubai Customs, emphasised their dedication to protecting trademark owners' rights. This commitment supports their mission to safeguard society and promote sustainable economic growth through compliance and innovation. Dubai Customs regularly conducts workshops, competitions, and campaigns to educate the community about the harmful effects of counterfeit products on health and the economy.

Aisha Harib, Senior Officer for Awareness and Education at the IPR Department, noted that Dubai Customs collaborates with the Ministry of Education to organise an annual Intellectual Property Award for students nationwide. This year, a new category has been added for the general public in line with the "Year of Community," encouraging broader participation in innovation and intellectual property protection awareness.

The award criteria include recognising outstanding awareness initiatives across three categories. The first invites participants to create a video content campaign on social media, subject to approval by the award team. The second encourages writing an article or short story about intellectual property's societal impact. The third focuses on producing a podcast exploring intellectual property issues creatively.

Participants will receive guidance from experts in intellectual property protection throughout their submissions. Entries are accepted until February 17th, with reviews scheduled between March 3rd and 25th. Winners will be announced during World Intellectual Property Day celebrations on April 26th, where they will receive cash prizes.

This initiative not only protects producers' rights but also enhances Dubai's reputation as a global hub for creators and innovators. By fostering a culture of creativity within society, it strengthens Dubai’s standing as a centre for business excellence.

With inputs from WAM