The Role of Sharjah in Protecting Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights and Raising Awareness

Imara Sharjah is making significant strides in fostering the protection of copyright and intellectual property rights while promoting awareness in these domains. Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding creative works and innovations, Sharjah continuously implements robust legal frameworks and community initiatives to enhance understanding of the significance of intellectual property protection. This commitment not only reinforces the rights of creators but also establishes Sharjah as a leading haven for intellectual property rights and copyright.

Legislation to Protect Copyright and Compliance with Federal Laws

The Emirate of Sharjah enacts legislation that ensures the protection of individuals’ literary, industrial, and commercial activities. Notably, the Intellectual Property Department of the Sharjah Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Authority is responsible for organizing all matters related to intellectual property rights, including copyright protection, protection of works, artistic creations, registration of trademarks, trade names, patents, geographical indications, industrial designs, and all related rights.

The department also develops plans and mechanisms necessary for implementing all relevant local, regional, and international decisions. It enhances awareness of the importance of international intellectual property protection and continues to work in a manner that keeps pace with modern developments in the United Arab Emirates in general and Sharjah in particular. Among the key international agreements that the UAE is keen to implement, which positively impacts all emirates including Sharjah, are the “Strasbourg Agreement,” the “Madrid Protocol,” the “Nice Agreement,” and the “Budapest Treaty.”

At the same time, Sharjah is committed to applying the federal laws and regulations enacted by the UAE in this regard, which include laws related to copyright and neighboring rights, the organization of industrial property rights, and the protection of trademarks.

Organizing Awareness Meetings and Studies on Copyright and Intellectual Property Protection

Sharjah is dedicated to organizing various events and meetings aimed at raising community awareness about copyright and intellectual property protection. This includes highlighting the importance of respecting copyright, appreciating the efforts of creative individuals, the legal registration of intellectual works with relevant authorities, the legal protections available for these works, and the challenges faced by rights holders, especially in the digital age.

The Emirates Copyright Management Association in Sharjah is one of the foremost organizations undertaking such initiatives. Its most notable awareness meetings took place during the Sharjah International Book Fair in 2024, where it presented a series of interactive cultural events and discussion sessions promoting the concept of copyright and intellectual property rights. These were titled “Protecting Creativity: Rights Holders and Community Responsibilities,” along with a workshop entitled “Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights,” which featured contributions from a group of experts and creatives.

Sharjah University is also working to establish practical initiatives in the field of intellectual property rights protection, which include publishing awareness journals, bulletins, and specialized scientific publications in collaboration with the Emirates Intellectual Property Association. The Emirates Copyright Management Association has also published two studies on the importance of copyright and its role in protecting the rights of authors and publishers, aimed at enhancing awareness among individuals, institutions, and society as a whole regarding the significance of this type of protection.

Using Modern Technology to Protect Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

The UAE, including the Emirate of Sharjah, seeks to enhance the protection of intellectual property by leveraging modern technology, including applications of artificial intelligence and blockchain, which can be used to detect and combat counterfeit or pirated products. Furthermore, it employs various digital platforms to raise community awareness and promote a culture of intellectual property rights protection on a broad scale, providing creators with the necessary tools to utilize technological advancements to safeguard their intellectual rights.

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center “Sheraa,” alongside the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, participated in the forum “A Glimpse into the Future of Intellectual Property,” organized by the Ministry of Economy in the UAE in collaboration with the Dubai Trademark Owners Council. This event brought together many relevant stakeholders and addressed the role of technology in protecting intellectual property.

Collaboration with Various Entities and Sectors to Protect Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

The Emirate of Sharjah is committed to collaborating and establishing partnerships with various entities to enhance the protection of copyright. These partnerships involve the exchange of expertise and knowledge in this field, developing the capabilities of all parties involved, and enhancing the status of Sharjah and the UAE as a leading destination for intellectual property and copyright protection.

Notable examples include the collaboration between Sharjah University and the Emirates Intellectual Property Association under a memorandum of understanding, which includes joint implementation of seminars, training programs, and workshops targeting national personnel working in the field of copyright and intellectual property protection, equipping them with global best practices to ensure they perform their tasks effectively. This also underscores the important role that academic institutions in Sharjah play in safeguarding copyright and intellectual property rights.

The Sharjah Police General Headquarters has also collaborated with the Ministry of Economy to achieve mutual support in the area of intellectual property rights. They have developed mechanisms to become more effective in supporting innovation and investment in creative ideas in the security field.

This collaboration between the ministry and the police force facilitates the exchange of expertise and consultations in the registration of intellectual properties, patents, and industrial designs. The national competencies within the police department have benefited from the “Emirati Examiner” initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy, which aims to provide advanced training and awareness programs that enhance the competitiveness of Emirati personnel in the intellectual property sector.

Additionally, the Sharjah Economic Development Department has collaborated with participants in the Intellectual Property Expert Diploma program at the Emirates Intellectual Property Association to combat commercial fraud and product imitation, thereby enhancing the value of businesses in the markets and boosting domestic and foreign investments.

The Emirates Copyright Management Association, represented by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the honorary president of the association, continues to collaborate with the International Federation of Copyright Organizations (AFRO) to exchange strategies, knowledge, and experiences related to intellectual property rights protection. This partnership aims to explore ways to encourage and enhance collaborations in this regard, positively impacting the development of the copyright and intellectual property rights protection sector and providing a safe environment for creativity and innovation for publishers and authors.

References

• moec.gov.ae, Federal Law Decree No. (38) of 2021 on Copyright and Neighboring Rights
• sharjahcustoms.gov.ae, Intellectual Property Protection
• moec.gov.ae, Intellectual Property Legislation