THE JORDAN INSTITUTION FOR STANDARDS AND METROLOGY

UNCLAS AMMAN 001695 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ELA, INL/AAE, AND EEB STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR (GROVES, FRANCESKI) STATE PLEASE PASS TO USPTO (LEIFMAN, REVES) STATE PLEASE PASS TO LIBRARY OF CONGRESS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR SNAR JO SUBJECT: THE JORDAN INSTITUTION FOR STANDARDS AND METROLOGY ADVANCES IPR PROTECTION IN JORDAN REFS: A) AMMAN 946 B) AMMAN 545 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador visited the new facilities of the Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology (JISM) on July 16 where he commended JISM's activism and restated U.S. support for JISM's efforts through the award of INCLE funding for equipment. Though hampered by a weak legal framework, JISM is keen on enhancing its lead role in ensuring IPR protection in Jordan and has seized tens of thousands of counterfeit items through May 2009. JISM credits USG support for its advances in promoting IPR protection and JISM's results affirm that a little USG support can go a long way. End summary. U.S. Assistance Key to JISM's Success -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology (JISM) is Jordan's national standards body and is mandated to conduct market surveillance to safeguard consumer health and safety, ensure environmental protection and prevent the sale of fraudulent, counterfeit or deceptive products. Therefore, JISM is a key player in protecting intellectual property right in Jordan. The Ambassador visited JISM's new facilities in Amman on July 16 and met with Director General Dr. Yaseen Khayyat and other JISM personnel. The discussions focused on JISM's role in protecting IPR, by working with Jordan Customs at the borders and other GOJ bodies within the country to ensure quality control standards are met. Khayyat emphasized that JISM's success in IPR protection is in great measure a result of U.S. assistance through many training programs offered by the USG, such as through USPTO, EXBS and other USG-funded IPR enforcement programs for JISM. JISM is also slated to receive a portion of allocated INCLE funds for its market surveillance division. JISM Busts Fake Label-making Operation -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Khayyat shared with the Ambassador a success story from March 2009 when an anti-counterfeiting inspection team from JISM investigated several printing shops in Amman. Among the sites inspected was Lujayn Printing House where packaging materials and labels bearing counterfeit trademarks such as "HP" were discovered and confiscated immediately. JISM inspectors suspected that a certain computer was used to design those packages and that other fraudulent labels might be on it. Khayyat credited USG-provided training with encouraging inspectors to think outside of the box, focusing on the computer and saved documents and not just the phony packaging before them. As a result, the inspectors seized the computer and confirmed later that it contained ready-made designs for packages and labels bearing counterfeit labels for fraudulent HP, Mercedes and BMW items. Investigation results were transferred to the General Prosecutor's office soon thereafter to pursue criminal case against the print shop--the case is still pending. This case led to the discovery of counterfeit printing cartridges bearing the fraudulent HP label at several stores that were confiscated and destroyed. Note: Interestingly, in this case there were no reports of counterfeit medicinal packaging, possibly due to the latest government requirements for Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) approval before the printing of pharmaceutical labels (ref B). End note. Still Waiting for the JISM Law -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Despite recent successes, Khayyat told the Ambassador that the main challenge still facing JISM is the lack of a new JISM law (refs A and B). New amendments to the law, which went to Parliament in December 2008 are still waiting to be reviewed and placed on the parliamentary agenda, having not made the slate for the current extraordinary session of parliament. Khayyat complained that if these amendments were not passed by the next parliament session, expected to start in October, it would be difficult for JISM to carry out its work. The amendments would grant JISM "ex officio" authority to investigate matters related to IPR infringement inside Jordanian markets, impound counterfeit merchandise, send perpetrators to court, order closure of stores, and grant JISM employees judicial police status. Note: Currently, JISM uses its authority for affirming quality standards to enforce IPR protection, as it lacks the necessary authority to enforce IPR protections. End note. A Copyright Law with Teeth -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Likewise, National Library (NL) Director General Mamoun Talhouni is also eager for a stronger legal mechanism with which to enhance IPR protection. The NL plays a key role in enforcing copyright and IPR protections but it lacks robust legal authorities. Amendments to the copyright law that would grant the NL explicit authority to enforce Jordanian IPR protections have been pending with the GOJ's Legislative Opinion Bureau since December 2008 and have not been forwarded to parliament for deliberation. These amendments would also mandate stronger penalties for violators. Unlike JISM, the NL lacks the authority to destroy seized items--a fact the new law is expected to change. Talhouni told EconOffs that the NL had to fill several leased warehouses to capacity with seized items and is now forced to store them in the new National Library building's parking garage. Strengthening IPR Protection -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Despite legal framework difficulties, Khayyat told the Ambassador that Jordanian interagency cooperation on market surveillance was going well. He noted that Jordan's General Intelligence Directorate (GID) and the Anti-Corruption Commission are actively providing JISM with leads regarding counterfeit products. JISM pursues those leads, conducts raids, and then confiscates and destroys counterfeit items. Through May 2009, JISM has confiscated through market surveillance 9,616 pieces of Nokia phone accessories, 32,380 dry batteries, 6,407 cosmetics items, 283 Reebok and Vans counterfeit products, and 64 pieces of fake HP printer cartridges in addition to counterfeit elevator springs, vehicle spare parts, candies, cooking pans, electric shavers and energy-saving lights. JISM's Border Role -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Khayyat also highlighted JISM's critical role at the borders, in cooperation with Jordan Customs and other agencies. He said that they had several success stories, which would not have been possible if JISM did not have a robust presence at the crossings. Through May of 2009, JISM seized at the borders 7,300 pieces of counterfeit HP and Panasonic printer cartridges; 4,121 fake Calvin Klein, Gap, Gucci, Dior and other items of clothing and accessories; 30 packages of cosmetics; phone accessories, speakers, and mechanical items. JISM and USG Support -------------- ¶8. (SBU) During the Ambassador's visit, Khayyat proudly showed off the new state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories achieved after four years of effort and not so veiled attempts from other ministries and GOJ departments to seize and inhabit JISM's new facilities. In praising the USG's support for JISM, Khayyat noted that the building that JISM occupied previously was donated by USAID back in the 1970's and he hoped that close cooperation between the USG and JISM would continue. Comment: JISM's efforts on IPR have been commendable, given its lack of a solid legal framework. JISM's affirmation of the utility of USG assistance through training and other means on IPR enforcement is a good example of where a little training and support can go a long way. End comment. Visit Amman's Classified Website at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman MANDEL