Special to ag-IP-news Agency
AMMAN - On the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day, the Arab Society for Intellectual Property (ASIP) organized a workshop on copyright and related rights held at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum.
The workshop, attended by the Minister of Culture HE Dr. Lana Mamkegh and the President of South-North Centre for Dialogue and Development HE Dr. Sabri Rbeihat and HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, was held in corporation with the Department of National Library, University of Jordan, and Abu- Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP).
The workshop aims at discussing the international protection of copyright and related rights, copyright law, and the role of authors and related rights in enhancing literature, music, art, creativity, and economic development.
HE Dr. Rbeihat highlighted the outcomes of a study published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) about the Economic Contribution of Copyright-Based Industries, valued the commitment, the enthusiasm, and the faith of Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh in pushing creativity locally, regionally and at global level.
He said: "We have been entrusted by WIPO to carry out the study that shows the economic impact, what added value on income is, how to prepare for a better environment for creativity, and how to protect mental production in all aspect. We must be aware that there is a significant economic value for copyright based industries in addition to cultural and intellectual values."
Dr. Mamkegh highlighted Dr. Abu- Ghazaleh's positive energy saying: "Intellectual Property Rights is not a new concept; it has been a main value in the Arab civilization." She gave the value of honesty as an example; people were accountable for their excesses and bad behaviors that were seen as shame. She urged the religious institute represented by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to adopt religious discourse to illustrate the importance of Intellectual Property Rights.
She added that scientific research is being violated, and "we are paying the price for the excesses."
She stated that Jordan seeks to lead the most countries advocating copyright and related rights, and that the more we adhere to the Intellectual Property laws, the more we attract investments. Dr. Mamkegh called for qualifying judges in Intellectual Property issues.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abu -Ghazaleh said that Intellectual Property is the engine and energy that supports the economy, and without it, creativity cannot be protected. Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh asked the Ministry of Culture to study the establishment of an association, modeled on associations exist in developed countries, to protect the rights of creators by addressing their issues, detecting and preventing infringements on their achievements, and collecting their entitled fees even after their death. This will encourage creators and let them feel secure.
He said: "I call for a knowledge-based Jordan, where everything is based on information technology. We have the opportunity to develop all our production and service sectors and our education system."
He added that in the field of copyright on the Internet, "we are experiencing a historic shift as the world is moving to the age of knowledge, and that AGIP has been accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICAAN) and has become an international arbitration center to arbitrate issues on the internet and to set constraints and laws to prevent infringements on the Internet."
He explained that “since we seek a comprehensive change, the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (TAGI-UNI) will witness next September, the establishment of the first smart class with no teachers and no textbooks. The whole teaching process will be through the computers.”
Many topics were discussed in the workshop; Ms. Aysha Salem from the American Embassy spoke about the international nature of copyright: the Berne Convention, the TRIPS Agreement, the Treaty of the WIPO on Copyright and about Intellectual Property and Creative Industries.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hala Haddadin from the National Library spoke about Copyright Law in Jordan, Introduction to Copyright and Related Rights.
For his part, Director General of the National Library, Mr. Mohammad Abbadi spoke about the role of the government in supporting the development of creative industries, Dr. Rbeihat tackled Economic Contribution in Copyright-Based Industries in Jordan, Mr. Abdul Salam Al-Haj representing the Royal Film Commission spoke about the importance of copyright in the film industry, Judge at the Court of Appeal Ms. Nihad Husban spoke about Settlement of Cases / Disputes / Legislative Interference in Resolving Disputes, and Copyright, and Dr. Suhail Haddadin from the University of Jordan spoke about the latest international development in copyright and related rights.