Microsoft is extending support to the Arab IP Forum on the Economic Importance of Intellectual Property.

The event will be held at the Hilton Hotel Abu Dhabi on January 8 and 9, 2008, under the patronage of UAE Minister of Economy (MoE) Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qassimi.

Organised by the MoE, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and Khasawneh & Associates, Legal Consultants, the forum will gather an impressive line-up of international speakers who will lead high-level discussions on the socioeconomic impact of intellectual property rights (IPR) issues in the Arab region.

“The UAE, an active WIPO member since 1974, has been at the forefront of regional and international efforts to increase the levels of protection for intellectual property rights. The country has been particularly successful in combating software piracy, where with the support of various rights holders and leading associations and through strict IPR enforcement it has become the lone Arab entry in the world's list of top 20 countries with the lowest piracy rates in 2006," said undersecretary, planning sector, MoE, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi.

“Through this Forum, we intend to collaborate with the international community and intensify our campaign against all forms of piracy and other IPR violations.”

The forum is sponsored by Sanad Law Group of Jordan, Philip Morris International, Microsoft, Eversheds of UK, NOTARBARTOLO & GERVASI of Italy, Qays Zu’bi Attorneys & Legal Consultants of Bahrain and Kalbian Hagerty LLD. The event is also supported by the Brand Owners Protection Group, KIWI Multimedia, Tawaajd, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Hilton Hotel Abu Dhabi, which is the Forum's official hotel. Maktoob.com is the exclusive online partner of the Forum.

The speakers of the event include Jawad Al Redha, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Pushpendra Rai, WIPO Intellectual Property and Economic Development Division acting director; Allen Dixon, London-based IPR international expert; Maha Al Bakhiet, head of the Arab League's IPR Unit, and other leading international IPR experts. – TradeArabia News Service