Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Economy has announced a new mechanism, in collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), to improve the protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) for creative works on digital platforms and to offer a safe environment from violations for owners of exclusive rights, in line with the best international practices in this regard.
Whether in literary works or multimedia content like videos, the new method focuses on resolving any infringement of intellectual property rights and spreading awareness of how crucial it is to respect property rights while using different content display platforms. It also seeks to inform right holders of the ministry’s resources and services that assist them in defending their rights against piracy and infringement.
Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property Rights Sector at the Ministry of Economy, stated, “The country has been keen on enhancing its efforts to increase the contribution of the creative economy to the national GDP, considering it a key driver of economic growth over the next fifty years. Today, we witness a new milestone in reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading destination for businesses and creative industries, through the announcement of a new mechanism by the Ministry of Economy, which will be implemented in collaboration with TDRA. This mechanism aims at immediately banning and blocking electronic sites that violate the rights of authors and creators and display their works across various platforms without obtaining permission for publication or broadcast.”
The ministry will accept accusations of copyright infringement pertaining to internet live broadcasting through “InstaBlock” and offer an instant service named “Live Ban” in response. The creation of a collaborative committee involving the TDRA, the ministry, and representatives of rights holders will enable this. Regarding these concerns, this team will diligently and effectively work around the clock to ensure that the laws safeguarding intellectual property rights are swiftly enforced.