EU delegation commends Dubai Customs’ prominent role in IPR protection

Dubai (WAM): Experts from the European Commission have hailed Dubai Customs' efforts in the field of Intellectual Property Rights protection, as well as the department’s progressive development of systems and programmes geared toward combating smuggling and the trafficking of counterfeit products. They have also expressed admiration of Dubai Customs’ evidence-based outcomes in protecting the economy and society from the harmful effects of IPR infringing products. The commendation was voiced during a visit by an EU delegation to Dubai Customs Headquarters. The high-level deputation comprised Dr. York Foyan, Counsellor of EU Delegation to Saudi Arabia, and Dr. Wolfgang Penzias, Commercial Counsellor of the EU Delegation. They were received by Yousuf Ozair Mubarak, Director of IPR Department at Dubai Customs. During the meeting, the visiting delegation was briefed on Dubai Customs role in IPR protection and work mechanisms adopted to deter and inhibit illicit trade in IPR infringements. The meeting also discussed the existing coordination with concerned government agencies via the government unified working team. Dubai Customs also presented an overview of the in-house developed procedures aiming at detecting all attempts at smuggling counterfeit items. Inspectors are being trained on a regular basis to discover new tricks of camouflage used by smugglers to illegitimately import illicit goods into the country. The EU delegation was introduced to the electronic systems of the IPR Department, and received a thorough presentation on its role in maintaining viable coordination with trademarks owners and concerned law firms. It is worth noting that DC scored an outstanding number of 139 seizures during 2013 with an estimated value of Dh 17.63 million. Seized items included a variety of products, mainly clothing, mobile phones and accessories, car spare parts, watches and sunshades. Yousuf Ozair Mubarak, Director of IPR Department at Dubai Customs, said, "We are keen on developing our cooperation and coordination with the EU to further boost bilateral efforts in IPR protection. We are also committed to affirm the active role of Dubai Customs in being a proactive agent towards reaching out and liaising with all regional and international agencies, for the purpose of enforcing greater protection to the world economy against counterfeit products. Such meetings are set to nurture the exchange of expertise and information while increasing the efficiency of our systems and human resources." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270573449.html