LES-AC Co-Organizes Saudi Forum on Intellectual Property
LES-AC Co-Organizes Saudi Forum on Intellectual Property
The speakers at the event were experts from the KSA in addition to specialists from the US, Germany, Turkey, Malaysia and Jordan along with representatives from the private sector and the academia
RIYADH --- May 14, 2012 --- The Licensing Executives Society- Arab Countries (LES-AC) co-organized the Saudi Forum on Intellectual Property hosted by King Abdul Aziz for Science and Technology (KACST) in cooperation with King Saud University and King Abdul Aziz and his Companions Institute for the Gifted (Mawhiba).
At the opening session, Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology stressed the significance of Intellectual Property (IP) in general and inventions in particular on the growth of the global economy. He said that the World Bank’s statistics show that the contribution of this activity has reached up to $200 billion and will reach $500 billion in 2015.
He pointed out that the KSA realizes the role of IP in safeguarding the rights of innovators and the role of their creations in the economic development. Therefore, he added that the Kingdom joined the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 1982 and signed several international conventions and treaties related to patents, trademarks and copyright.
The Forum’s first session entitled “Intellectual Property and Community” was chaired by Mr. Mohammad Al Ajlan, Shura Council/ Patent Legal Cases Committee. The session included three papers, one of which was delivered by Dr. Mohammad Al Arifi who tackled the issue of protecting Intellectual Property Rights in the Islamic Sharia.
Another paper entitled “The Impact of Intellectual Property on the Economic Development” was presented by Dr. Fawaz Al Alami, former deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, while Mr. Fahd Al Ahmadi, well-known Saudi writer in Al-Riyadh newspaper addressed the Knowledge Society View towards Intellectual Property Rights.
The second session entitled “Legal and Technical Aspects Associated with Developing Inventions from Idea to Industrial Application” was chaired by Eng. Sami Al Sudais, Saudi Patent Office Manager. The session included five scientific papers; the first one was presented by Mr. Raja Saliba, Partner, Sughrue under the title “Innovations Protection, Geographical Scope, Term of Protection, and the Priority”, meanwhile, Dr. Heinz Goddar, Partner of Boehmert & Boehmert discussed in his paper strategies and requirements for patent registration.
The Role of the Inventor and the Attorney in Patenting was discussed in the third paper by Dr. Mohammad Saleem, managing director of the Science Forum for Intellectual and Industrial Property Services (SIPS), and Mr. Mohammad Al Hajeri, patents specialist at the Center of Research and Technology at SABIC highlighted Special Considerations in Registering and Filing Patent Application.
Another Session on Technology Transfer from Research Institutes to Industrial Application was chaired by Dr. Khaled Al Saleh, IP Center Manager, King Saud University (KSU). Speakers underlined the Importance of Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) in Technology Commercialization, Changing the Future-Intellectual Power is a Strategic Business Necessity, University Technology Transfer; Bringing New Ideas to Life, and Cooperation in Innovation and Technology Transfer in the Arab Region.
Other topics included Patents Commercialization Strategies and the Asian Experience as a Model, Patents Commercialization Strategies, Creating Alternative Methods for Patent Commercialization in Emerging Countries, Market Studies for Patents Licensing, and License Agreements Drafting: How to Avoid Pitfalls.
The last session on Governmental Support for Inventors in Saudi Arabia was chaired by Dr. Ahmad Al Mohandis, Saudi Inventors Society President tackling significant issues mainly the Role of Incubators in Supporting Inventors, the Role of Saudi Credit and Saving Bank in Funding Innovative Projects and Inventors Support Programs Offered by King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity.
The Forum concluded with a session held at the King Abdul Aziz and his Companions Institute for the Gifted (Mawhiba) where Mr. Jamil Al Khateeb addressed students and inventors on the IP types, innovative works, copyright, trademarks and patents.
Experts from KSA in addition to specialists from the US, Germany, Turkey, Malaysia and Jordan along with representatives from the private sector and the academia took part in the event.
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