DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE SAYS "LET'S WORK

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000083

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND EEB/TPP/IPE
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR JASON BUNTIN
USDOC/ITA FOR TYLER HOFFMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV KIPR SA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE SAYS "LET'S WORK
TOGETHER"

REF: A. RIYADH 0040

B. 08 RIYADH 1435

C. 08 RIYADH 1807

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires David Rundell for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) Econcouns and Econoff met with Ministry of Culture and
Information (MOCI) Deputy Minister Abdul Rahman Al-Hazzaa and
MOCI Director General of Copyrights Obaidallah Obaidallah in
their offices on January 11th to discuss ongoing efforts to
combat intellectual property rights (IPR) violations.
Al-Hazzaa expressed dismay at the current state of IPR
protection in the Kingdom and said that Saudi Arabia has
"been failing" in efforts to enforce IPR protection in the
last year. However, he proudly listed a number of efforts
made in the last six months:

-- populating a searchable on-line database with information
on ongoing IPR cases;

-- raiding and investigating warehouses and shops carrying
pirated goods, often resulting in their closure;

-- censuring and closing of cafes operating satellite
television without commercial licensing, and;

-- implementing a "name-and-shame" strategy of both public
articles announcing these closures, as well as signs placed
on the doors of closed establishments that say "Closed by the
Ministry of Culture for Selling Counterfeit Goods." (Note:
Al-Hazzaa claimed that he personally traveled with these
signs in the trunk of his car and would be "happy to use all
of the 3000 he had printed." End Note.)


2. (C) In addition, al-Hazzaa said he would personally ensure
that ongoing cases against IPR violators go before the Board
of Grievances in 2009, which would result in higher penalties
and sentencing. (Note: So far, no case has proceeded beyond
the Violations Review Committee (VRC),and many have been
settled out of court as reported ref A. End Note.)


3. (C) Al-Hazzaa and Obaidallah both stressed a lack of
capacity their staff faces with regard to understanding IPR
enforcement, and said that though they have enough
inspectors, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. should work together to
build a greater understanding of what constitutes an IPR
violation. Al-Hazzaa specifically requested training by U.S.
customs or other law enforcement officials. On January 12,
Econoff solicited Saudi nominations for training at the U.S.
Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) to the MFA, and informed
al-Hazzaa of the request via telcon. Al-Hazzaa's elatedly
responded "Wonderful, how many people can I send?"


4. (C) Comment: The MOCI continues to demonstrate the
political will to address IPR violations and enforce
legislation to combat them. Limited understanding of the
problem hampers full enforcement but Al- Hazzaa's eagerness
to collaborate with U.S. officials and to avail his team of
U.S. training speaks strongly of the SAG's commitment to
fighting piracy. End comment.
RUNDELL