Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KUWAIT2451
2003-06-04 14:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAITI GOVERNOR PLEDGES IPR SUPPORT

Tags:  KIPR ETRD KU USTR 
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UNCLAS KUWAIT 002451 

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USTR J. BUNTIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD KU USTR
SUBJECT: KUWAITI GOVERNOR PLEDGES IPR SUPPORT

REF: A. KUWAIT 01989


B. STATE 123166

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002451

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USTR J. BUNTIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD KU USTR
SUBJECT: KUWAITI GOVERNOR PLEDGES IPR SUPPORT

REF: A. KUWAIT 01989


B. STATE 123166


1. SUMMARY. As part of a new push for much needed
intellectual property rights (IPR) reform in Kuwait,
following the release in May of the latest Special 301 review
(reftels),the Ambassador met June 3 with the Governor of
Hawally, where most of Kuwait's pirated goods are repeatedly
produced and sold. The Ambassador voiced his concern that
Kuwait's poor record on IPR protection and enforcement was
tarnishing its image to investors and was possibly linked to
more serious crimes, such as drug sales and terrorist
financing. The Governor agreed and said he was willing to
support the USG in its efforts, including meeting with the
Minister of Interior to discuss ways to improve enforcement
of Kuwait's copyright laws. END SUMMARY.


2. On June 3, 2003, the Ambassador met with the Governor of
Hawally, AbdulHameed Haji AbdulRaheem, and members of his
staff to discuss IPR issues in Kuwait. AbdulRaheem served
for 15 years in Kuwait's Ministry of Interior before becoming
governor three years ago. Hawally, one of six governorates
in the country, is the site of the majority of Kuwait's sale
of illegal audio visual goods, which account for 95 percent
of the motion pictures and nearly 65 percent of the music
sold in the country, according to latest industry estimates.
The Ambassador was joined by Econoff as notetaker and a
Foreign Commercial Service specialist.


3. The Ambassador explained to AbdulRaheem that with the
release of the Special 301 review the Embassy was undertaking
a new push for IPR reform in Kuwait. This effort included
encouraging the GOK to pass amendments to its copyright law
(as it promised to do more than a year ago) and seeking ways
to assist the GOK in curbing rampant IPR violations. The
Ambassador noted that copyright violations continue to pose a
serious problem and are tarnishing Kuwait's image among
investors, resulting in a large loss of revenue to other
countries in the region. He also voiced concern over the
link between IPR piracy and other crimes, including the
prospect of terrorist financing, as many of the pirated goods
entering Kuwait come from Indonesia, Pakistan, and other
countries known for terrorist activities.


4. The Ambassador said he met recently with members of
industry (including from Microsoft and the Motion Picture
Association),who claimed that the main problem in Kuwait was
one of enforcement, deriving from the fact that Kuwait's
Ministry of Information has the authority but lacks the
manpower or will to make adequate arrests. AbdulRaheem
agreed that the police force, under the Ministry of Interior,
would be more effective at making raids and leading
investigations, should they be granted the legal authority to
do so.


5. AbdulRaheem said he would be willing to meet with the
Minister of Interior to discuss ways to restructure the
present system so that the police might become more involved.
He also pledged his support to the Ambassador in the
Embassy's efforts to encourage IPR reform in Kuwait. The
Ambassador, in turn, said he would ask to meet with the
Ministers of Information and Interior to discuss this issue.
JONES