Abu-Ghazaleh, Jordan Customs and Public Security: A Workshop on Public Sector Against Trademark infringements

Abu-Ghazaleh, Jordan Customs and Public Security: A Workshop on Public Sector Against Trademark infringements

AMMAN- Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Legal (TAG-Legal) organized a training workshop entitled, “Activating the Monitoring Role for Public Sector Institutions in Combating Trademark Counterfeiting in Jordan” with the presence of the representatives from the Criminal Investigation Department and Jordan Customs – and Anti-Smuggling Directorate.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh inaugurated the workshop with the presence of the Assistant Director General of Jordan Customs Brigadier-General Thamer Al-Sherman, Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Colonel Raed Al-Ouran, and Customs Director Eng. Damen Al-Fawaz of the Anti-Smuggling Directorate.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh welcomed the guests and expressed his pride in this cooperation – especially in the protection of Intellectual Property Rights − and how this partnership comes in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II in enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed, “The Rule of Law has always been of high importance to His Majesty King Abdullah II − to ensure the rights of citizens and in creating an environment for trust, investment, and promoting economic activity.” He added, “Protecting the Intellectual Property rights of citizens is only one of the aspects in tackling counterfeit of commodities and other forms of corruption.”

Brigadier-General Thamer Al-Sherman, representing the Director General of Jordan Customs Major General Dr. Waddah Al-Hmoud, indicated, “This cooperation between Jordan Customs and TAG-Org in protecting the Intellectual Rights of citizens directly relates to the work of Jordan Customs in preventing the trade of counterfeit goods in a challenging environment surrounded by the political instability of the region.”

Brigadier-General Al-Sherman continued, “The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has completed the transitional phase when it comes to accomplishments in the protection of Intellectual Property Rights.” He added, “Jordan Customs has appointed the best representatives for implementing this cooperation agreement, as it constantly invests in its employees to deliver the best services for the Jordanian citizen.”

Meanwhile, Colonel Raed Al-Ouran representing the Director of Criminal Investigation Department Brigadier General Qaseem Al-Ibrahim, congratulated Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh for being honored the Order of Independence of the First Class by His Majesty King Abdullah II, for his distinguished achievements and contributions to the economy.” He added, “In 2008, a department section was established at the Criminal Investigation Department specifically for protecting Intellectual Property Rights, spreading awareness and keeping up with the latest developments in the field of Intellectual Property, and in improving their tactics in accordance to facing related challenges.”

He also indicated, “I am confident that this workshop will be beneficial in improving skills of the participants – all for the purpose of implementing the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II in protecting the rights of citizens.”

The workshop aims to shed light on the most crucial of challenges and difficulties that face the field of protecting Intellectual Property Rights and protecting famous Trademarks on a local level, and on the importance of differentiating between original and counterfeit goods. The workshop also aims in strengthening and enhancing cooperation between the public and private sector to protect Intellectual Property rights in the kingdom. 

The workshop comes in the context of implementing and fulfilling the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed last year between the Public Security Directorate and Jordan Customs and TAG-Org in Jordan.