USPTO PROGRAM IN JORDAN BUILDS IPR AWARENESS AND NETWORKS

UNCLAS AMMAN 004599 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR AND USAID STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE, NEA/ELA, AND NEA/PI COMMERCE PLEASE PASS TO USPTO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR PGOV JO IPR SUBJECT: USPTO PROGRAM IN JORDAN BUILDS IPR AWARENESS AND NETWORKS AMONG EIGHT MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES REF: STATE 138058 ¶1. The United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) conducted successful training on Law and Policy for Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Enforcement from November 5-8 in Jordan with the assistance of the Embassy and USAID. Over 100 representatives from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and the UAE attended the course. The training provided valuable information and opportunities to share knowledge on successful strategies and mechanisms to boost intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in the Middle East. ¶2. The opening of the seminar received positive and substantive coverage in Jordan's print media. Local newspaper reports with photos appeared as lead economic articles, and covered opening remarks by Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade Salem Khaza'aleh, who noted his government's commitment to protect IPR and unify efforts through the creation of an IPR umbrella organization in Jordan. Senior Jordanian officials from the National Library, Jordan Food and Drug Administration, Customs Department, and Ministry of Industry and Trade also presented keynote speeches on their agencies' organization and efforts in the various IPR fields. Private sector companies, including Microsoft and Nokia, also participated in a product symposium to help officials distinguish between counterfeit and authentic goods. ¶3. Participants lauded the regional networking opportunities provided by the conference, particularly the kick-off reception at the Ambassador's residence. The event introduced the head of the Jordanian National Library to the head of the Iraqi copyright office, who had previously exchanged written correspondence about possible training opportunities, but had never met. They agreed to revisit and explore potential areas of bilateral cooperation in building Iraqi capacity in copyrights. ¶4. On November 7 on the margins of the training, USPTO Dean of Training Robert Stoll met with ten masters-level students at the University of Jordan on IPR. The students asked probing questions, and the discussion really caught fire around issues of music piracy, public education, and judicial capacity. Post thanks Dean Stoll and all the USPTO and USTR officials, particularly the conference's lead organizer Ben Hardman, for being stellar lecturers, good listeners, and accessible experts. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE