H.E. Bin Touq discusses ways to strengthen IP cooperation and industrial design protection with Korea’s Minister of Intellectual Property and Singapore’s Minister for Law

Discussions held on the sidelines of UAE’s participation in the 68th session of the WIPO meetings in Geneva

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, held two bilateral meetings with H.E. Kim Yong-sun, Minister of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea, and H.E. Edwin Tong, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore. The discussions aimed to strengthen collaboration in intellectual property (IP) fields, advance innovation, and enhance the protection of industrial designs.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the UAE delegation’s participation in the 68^th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held at the Organization’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 7 to 15 July.

UAE-Korea action plan to strengthen cooperation in patents and industrial designs

H.E. Bin Touq’s meeting with H.E. Kim Yong-sun explored ways to expand collaboration across various IP domains. The two sides agreed to implement a three-year action plan that includes exchanging information and expertise on patent and industrial design examination standards, as well as relevant guidelines and practices. This will contribute to enhancing the quality and efficiency of examination processes.

The action plan envisions the organisation of training programmes and workshops for IP officials, examiners, and stakeholders to strengthen technical knowledge and reinforce professional best practices in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.

The plan also includes exploring opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in protecting and enforcing IP rights, including combating counterfeiting and trademark infringement, while also enhancing public awareness of the importance of protecting IP rights.

Opportunities for UAE-Singapore collaboration in advancing IP legislation

H.E. Bin Touq also discussed with H.E. Edwin Tong, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore, opportunities for collaboration in advancing IP policies and legislation. These efforts help support innovation, enhance the efficiency of the IP rights protection ecosystem in both countries, and promote the exchange of expertise and best practices in this vital field.

The UAE highlighted the legislative development of its IP ecosystem, which include the issuance of the Law on the Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property Rights, the Law on Trademarks, and the Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. These laws have contributed to providing an integrated legislative framework for protecting IP rights and supporting emerging entrepreneurial projects as well as cultural and creative industries.