Governor of Makkah Region Inaugurates First Arab Forum for the Protection of Consumers

Abu-Ghazaleh calls for implementing a system to protect geographical indications and famous brand names

JEDDAH, October 21, 2008, The First Arab Forum for the Protection of Consumers from Commercial Fraud concluded in Jeddah today. The Forum was inaugurated by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the governor of Makkah Region, with the attendance of a number of ministers, ambassadors and experts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Arab countries, and globally. Also in attendance was the Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States.

President of the Arab Society of Intellectual Property (ASIP) and Chairman of the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh spoke at the Forum, and called for a system that protects geographical indications and famous names. He pointed out to targeted Arab regions such as Makkah since it carries a particular sanctity, in addition to Petra in Jordan, and some products of Arab countries like the oranges of Jaffa and Lebanese tabbouleh.

Abu-Ghazaleh expressed ASIP?s willingness, along with Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP), to put in place a system for protecting indications and creating a bank of data/information, in collaboration with the League of Arab States and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He also pointed out to the potential of establishing a cooperative Arab agreement to protect geographical indications, and offered to establish an Arab organization to protect famous brand names under the umbrella of the Arab League and in cooperation with ASIP.

Further, the Representative of the European Union Mr. Luke Divan emphasized the EU?s readiness to collaborate with the initiative launched by Abu-Ghazaleh in the field of protecting geographical indications and famous brand names. He stated that the EU ?developed a special structure to protect Intellectual Property.?

In addition, the Coordinator of Combating Commercial Fraud at the World Customs Organization Mr. Christopher Zimmerman expressed the preparedness of his organization to provide support to the Abu-Ghazaleh initiative.

It is worth noting that the Arab Forum for the Protection of Consumers from Commercial Fraud and Products Counterfeiting was organized by the Saudi Administration of Customs in cooperation with the Arab League and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It represents an extension of Saudi governmental efforts that aim to protect the consumer and combat commercial fraud and products counterfeiting, through the issuance of legislations and schemes that limit and eventually eradicate these phenomena.

The Forum represents an opportunity to exchange expertise and information, and promote consumer awareness of the dangers resulting from the usage of counterfeit products. The list of speakers included global decision-makers in this area; IP rights owners and institutions involved in these combative efforts.