Arab League urges intellectual efforts to protect intellectual property rights

The Arab League called here on Wednesday for concerted international efforts to be exerted in order to protect intellectual property rights and stimulate innovation and creativity. Speaking at a celebration held today at the Cairo-based Arab League on intellectual property rights, the league's intellectual property and competition department chief, Maha Bekheit said innovation and creativity should be protected against the phenomenon of piracy in the Arab world. She cautioned against social and economic losses caused by trade fraud and counterfeiting so that international cooperation should be stepped up to fight relevant perils and risks. To square up to piracy and counterfeiting in an effective manner, all stakeholders are required to adopt a multifaceted approach or policy against this serious phenomenon, Bekheit pointed out. She emphasized that the protection of consumers' health and safety is of paramount significance, but more concerted efforts need to be exerted in order to fan out public awareness and promote the concept of intellectual property culture. On his part, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League for Economic Affairs Mohammad Al-Twegri addressed the event by underscoring the significance of the celebration which coincides with the World Intellectual Property Day. He stressed the necessity of sharing experience and making integrated efforts to fight fraud and counterfeiting and to highlight Arab creativity