UAE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) UPDATES

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000231 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP STATE PASS TO USTR MCCOY AND BAE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIPR ECON PREL AE SUBJECT: UAE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) UPDATES REFTEL: STATE 182554 This message contains business proprietary information. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 6. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: On February 8, Econoff met Ministry of Economy officials to discuss intellectual property rights (IPR) in the UAE, including a specific complaint by the Estee Lauder Company about counterfeit products. Stating that the Ministry is cracking down on IPR violators, UAE officials promised to look into the case. On the issue of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA),MinEcon officials asked for further details regarding which other countries are participating in ACTA. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) Estee Lauder's London-based Security and Trademark Protection Director, Graham Clemence, contacted PolEconoff in Dubai on January 25 regarding counterfeit Estee Lauder products (MAC brand) being imported and sold by an Abu Dhabi-based couple that works for the Abu Dhabi municipality. Estee Lauder has not received an update on the Abu Dhabi police investigation and was and told information could not be released until the investigation is completed. The company provided the results of its own investigation to post and requested the mission follow-up with UAEG officials. ¶4. (SBU) On February 8, Econoff met with Ali Al-Baloushi, Director of International Property Works, and Dr. El Hassan Jouaouine, Advisor on WTO and FTA negotiations, from the Ministry of Economy regarding the Estee Lauder complaint. Al-Baloushi promised to look into the matter and stated that "the Ministry is cracking down on IPR violators and has closed down some of the pirates in Abu Dhabi." Al-Baloushi also said, "It is important to develop standards on all IPR issues." Post will continue to monitor the case. ¶5. (SBU) Econoff also asked Al-Baloushi whether the UAE had decided to become a partner in the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Al-Baloushi said the Ministries of Economy and Justice are studying the proposal to join ACTA, but asked: 1) what countries are participating in ACTA, and 2) whether ACTA will be submitted to the WTO? ¶6. (U) Action request: Please advise Post what other information we can provide the UAEG on the ACTA, including which other countries will be participating, and whether ACTA will be submitted to the WTO or to any other international governing body? SISON