Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH982
2009-07-29 13:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION
how-toVZCZCXRO9284 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #0982/01 2101350 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291350Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1293 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000982
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS) AND EEB/TPP/IPE
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR JASON BUNTIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV KIPR SA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION
REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS
REF: A. RIYADH 83
B. 92 RIYADH 9828
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000982
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS) AND EEB/TPP/IPE
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR JASON BUNTIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV KIPR SA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION
REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS
REF: A. RIYADH 83
B. 92 RIYADH 9828
1. (SBU) Summary: Deputy Minister of Culture and Information
Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza told EconCouns that he wants to develop
an action plan for intellectual property rights (IPR)
enforcement and awareness with input and sponsorship from the
private sector. Hazza hopes to conclude and publish the
results of all pending IPR cases currently backlogged in the
Violations Review Committee (VRC) within two months. The
Ministry of Culture and Information (MOCI) is now responsible
for licensing purchases of satellite dishes in the Kingdom.
End summary.
ACTION PLAN NEEDED FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) Hazza told EconCouns July 20 that he wants to
develop an action plan for intellectual property rights (IPR)
enforcement and awareness with input and sponsorship from the
private sector. The Ministry (MOCI) needs support to fight
piracy, particularly to address the shortage of trained
inspectors, and Hazza wants the private sector to provide a
detailed budget and action plan for hiring inspectors. Hazza
recognizes the importance of the Kingdom's upcoming USTR
Special 301 Out of Cycle Review, and said the Ministry wants
Saudi Arabia removed from the Watch List for its own reasons,
not to satisfy Washington.
3. (SBU) When asked about an IPR public awareness campaign,
Hazza said Microsoft's recent print campaign was weak, and
expressed strong support for a more robust print, radio,
television, and workshop campaign. The Ministry could ensure
media coverage of an IPR workshop or exposition if another
entity could plan the event, he said.
DETERMINED TO CONCLUDE AND PUBLISH IPR VIOLATION CASES
-------------- --------------
4. (SBU) Hazza said that as head of the Violations Review
Committee (VRC),he wants to clear the backlog of IPR
violation cases over the next two months (by the end of
September). He said the Committee recently had cleared 20 to
30 cases in a two week period. The VRC has two new members,
including a "more flexible" law expert, and Hazza plans to
publish details on all concluded cases in the newspaper and
online by early August. Hazza said the Ministry will start
publishing a monthly report on cases to raise IPR awareness,
although he admitted his ministry still "needs to work on"
the website. No cases have been brought to the Board of
Grievances to date, and Hazza said this was partly due to the
large backlog of open cases and subsequent inability to try
repeat offenders using prior convictions as evidence.
MOCI ISSUES LICENSES FOR SATELLITE DISHES
--------------
5. (SBU) According to Hazza, the Royal Diwan issued a new
regulation, effective immediately, which makes MOCI
responsible for issuing licenses for all imported satellite
dishes. To regulate unauthorized transmission of pay TV and
satellite signals, satellite dishes will not be granted
customs clearance without a license from MOCI. (Note: This
continues a well-known saga going back at least to the early
1990s. See ref B for background.)
MANY HATS, FEW RESOURCES
--------------
6. (SBU) In addition to his role as Deputy Minister for
Internal Information, Hazza is the Ministry's spokesperson,
the Chairman of the Violations Review Committee (VRC),and a
member of Riyadh City Council. The Director General of
Copyrights position has not been filled, leaving Hazza as the
overall lead on IPR issues as well. Speaking of his
ministry, Hazza repeatedly lamented, "We cannot do
everything," citing staffing and financial limitations.
7. (SBU) Hazza welcomed Econcouns' suggestion that the City
Council be mobilized to crack down on IPR violators.
8. (SBU) Comment: Although his intentions are good, Hazza has
neither the resources nor the time to implement a robust IPR
action plan without significant assistance. Post is
following up with private sector representatives to organize
a roundtable with MOCI to develop a detailed action plan and
budget for IPR enforcement and awareness activities. End
comment.
RIYADH 00000982 002 OF 002
RUNDELL
RUNDELL
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS) AND EEB/TPP/IPE
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR JASON BUNTIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV KIPR SA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION
REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS
REF: A. RIYADH 83
B. 92 RIYADH 9828
1. (SBU) Summary: Deputy Minister of Culture and Information
Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza told EconCouns that he wants to develop
an action plan for intellectual property rights (IPR)
enforcement and awareness with input and sponsorship from the
private sector. Hazza hopes to conclude and publish the
results of all pending IPR cases currently backlogged in the
Violations Review Committee (VRC) within two months. The
Ministry of Culture and Information (MOCI) is now responsible
for licensing purchases of satellite dishes in the Kingdom.
End summary.
ACTION PLAN NEEDED FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) Hazza told EconCouns July 20 that he wants to
develop an action plan for intellectual property rights (IPR)
enforcement and awareness with input and sponsorship from the
private sector. The Ministry (MOCI) needs support to fight
piracy, particularly to address the shortage of trained
inspectors, and Hazza wants the private sector to provide a
detailed budget and action plan for hiring inspectors. Hazza
recognizes the importance of the Kingdom's upcoming USTR
Special 301 Out of Cycle Review, and said the Ministry wants
Saudi Arabia removed from the Watch List for its own reasons,
not to satisfy Washington.
3. (SBU) When asked about an IPR public awareness campaign,
Hazza said Microsoft's recent print campaign was weak, and
expressed strong support for a more robust print, radio,
television, and workshop campaign. The Ministry could ensure
media coverage of an IPR workshop or exposition if another
entity could plan the event, he said.
DETERMINED TO CONCLUDE AND PUBLISH IPR VIOLATION CASES
-------------- --------------
4. (SBU) Hazza said that as head of the Violations Review
Committee (VRC),he wants to clear the backlog of IPR
violation cases over the next two months (by the end of
September). He said the Committee recently had cleared 20 to
30 cases in a two week period. The VRC has two new members,
including a "more flexible" law expert, and Hazza plans to
publish details on all concluded cases in the newspaper and
online by early August. Hazza said the Ministry will start
publishing a monthly report on cases to raise IPR awareness,
although he admitted his ministry still "needs to work on"
the website. No cases have been brought to the Board of
Grievances to date, and Hazza said this was partly due to the
large backlog of open cases and subsequent inability to try
repeat offenders using prior convictions as evidence.
MOCI ISSUES LICENSES FOR SATELLITE DISHES
--------------
5. (SBU) According to Hazza, the Royal Diwan issued a new
regulation, effective immediately, which makes MOCI
responsible for issuing licenses for all imported satellite
dishes. To regulate unauthorized transmission of pay TV and
satellite signals, satellite dishes will not be granted
customs clearance without a license from MOCI. (Note: This
continues a well-known saga going back at least to the early
1990s. See ref B for background.)
MANY HATS, FEW RESOURCES
--------------
6. (SBU) In addition to his role as Deputy Minister for
Internal Information, Hazza is the Ministry's spokesperson,
the Chairman of the Violations Review Committee (VRC),and a
member of Riyadh City Council. The Director General of
Copyrights position has not been filled, leaving Hazza as the
overall lead on IPR issues as well. Speaking of his
ministry, Hazza repeatedly lamented, "We cannot do
everything," citing staffing and financial limitations.
7. (SBU) Hazza welcomed Econcouns' suggestion that the City
Council be mobilized to crack down on IPR violators.
8. (SBU) Comment: Although his intentions are good, Hazza has
neither the resources nor the time to implement a robust IPR
action plan without significant assistance. Post is
following up with private sector representatives to organize
a roundtable with MOCI to develop a detailed action plan and
budget for IPR enforcement and awareness activities. End
comment.
RIYADH 00000982 002 OF 002
RUNDELL
RUNDELL