UAE Ministry Of Economy Unveils New Mechanism For Enhanced IPR Protection

The Ministry of Economy, in a significant move to bolster intellectual property rights (IPRs) protection, unveiled a new strategy on Thursday. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), aims to safeguard creative works on digital platforms. It seeks to provide a secure environment for exclusive rights owners, aligning with top international practices in this domain.

This fresh approach is designed to tackle any infringement of intellectual property rights across various forms of content, including literary works and multimedia such as videos. Moreover, it focuses on enhancing awareness about the significance of respecting property rights on diverse content display platforms. It also educates rights holders on the ministry's tools and services that assist in safeguarding their rights against infringement and piracy.

Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property Rights Sector at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the UAE's commitment to developing its intellectual property systems and legislation. This development is in sync with the best global practices and technological advancements worldwide. The UAE has established a conducive environment for creativity and innovation, positioning itself as an ideal destination for creators and innovators globally.

Al Muaini emphasized the nation's efforts to boost the creative economy's contribution to the national GDP, viewing it as a crucial economic growth driver over the next fifty years. He remarked, "Today marks a new milestone in reinforcing the UAE's status as a leading hub for businesses and creative industries." He detailed the new mechanism's goal to immediately ban and block electronic sites that unlawfully display authors' and creators' works without proper authorization.

At a press briefing, Al Muaini introduced the "InstaBlock" initiative, part of the ministry's new intellectual property system initiatives launched last February. This initiative involves setting up a centre in collaboration with relevant entities to monitor and block websites infringing on intellectual property rights, thereby protecting rights holders. The "Live Ban" service under "InstaBlock" will offer an immediate response to complaints related to copyright infringement concerning live streaming online. A joint group comprising representatives from the ministry, TDRA, and rights holders will operate this service efficiently 24/7.

Al Muaini also mentioned that launching this new mechanism coincides with the holy month of Ramadan—a period characterized by a surge in creative and artistic works on digital platforms such as series, documentaries, entertainment programs, sports tournaments, and more. This strategic timing underscores the initiative's importance in protecting intellectual property during peak creative output periods.

The UAE's proactive steps towards enhancing intellectual property protection underscore its dedication to fostering an environment that supports creativity and innovation. By implementing these measures in collaboration with TDRA, the Ministry of Economy aims to secure a safe space for creators and innovators, ensuring their works are safeguarded against unauthorized use and infringement.

With inputs from WAM