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Find out moreWelcome to the latest edition of Law Update titled “Rise of Generative AI.”
In this edition, we dive into the dynamic world of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. TMT continues to play a vital role in positioning the region as an international business and social hub, driving significant growth and innovation.
Our focus in this Law Update is on the sector’s ongoing potential to advance and propel the region toward a more digital economy. We explore the benefits of embracing a digital transformation and how local authorities have responded by enhancing regulations to accommodate the evolving TMT landscape.
This edition covers a range of topics, including – the new Telecommunications & Information Technology Law in Saudi Arabia, the intricacies of trademarks in the Metaverse, and the legal challenges faced by the video game industry. Additionally, we take a regional perspective, discussing jurisdictions such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain to provide a comprehensive understanding of the TMT landscape.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy this packed issue of Law Update, filled with captivating articles that address key legal issues within a vital sector for the region.
Read the full editionStephen Jiew - Senior Associate - Intellectual Property
April 2011
As of February 2011, Sharjah Department of Economic Development (“SDED”) has established a new Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department (“IPRD”) in a show of commitment to the enforcement of IP rights in Sharjah in a more organised and streamlined manner.
Sharjah is one of the seven emirates forming the federation of the United Arab Emirates and its Department of Economic Development is the governmental authority charged with powers of enforcement of IP rights.
Previously, complainants seeking to file complaints against IP infringements had to pursue their complaints through the Complaints and Dispute section, a part of the Legal Affairs department of the SDED, and raids would be conducted through them. The creation of the IPRD means that complainants can now route their complaints directly to the IPRD, which acts as a one stop shop for conducting raid action against infringers in the emirate of Sharjah.
This important development is a boon to trademark proprietors in the combat against counterfeits as it demonstrates a consolidated and focused approach taken by the UAE government at the emirate level to win the war against IP infringements. With the IPRD entrenched as part of the government’s artillery in IP enforcement, it is expected that it will provide a platform for the launch of public awareness programs on IP rights and its enforcement as well for facilitating engagement with other public authorities such as the Police as well as the private sector.
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