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/

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