Commemorating the World Intellectual Property Day for the year 2015, Dubai Customs honoured Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai and Honorary President of Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA).

Lt General Khalfan received the IP Personality of the Year 2015 trophy from H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Chairman of DP World, as a token of admiration for his notable contribution to spreading awareness of intellectual property across the community and the major role he played in mobilising and joining efforts to stand up in the face of IPR infringements and counterfeits.
Dubai Customs held its celebration of the World IP Day 2015 with the presence of representatives from government entities, strategic partners from both public and private sectors in addition to the winning work teams of Dubai Customs IP Awards for Schools and Universities.

Today we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day- an event that is observed every year at Dubai Customs, to ascertain our commitment to being an active player in the global effort to protect intellectual property rights and push forward the wheel of economy worldwide, Sultan bin Sulayem said.
He further added, Celebrating the World IP Day this year is of particular significance as 2015 is marked the Year of Innovation. The UAE stands as one in the fight against any infringements on the rights of innovators, ensuring they receive the due and deserved appreciation and respect for their creations. This comes in line with the move to mobilise all efforts to spark innovation nationwide, as per the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai stating that Innovation today is driven by effective institutions, strong policies, specialised skills, and an economy where all sectors work together to discover new ways to conduct business".

Shedding light on some figures that reflect the magnitude and effects of counterfeiting and piracy via the damage they inflict on humans and economy, His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, pointed out that There are 700 thousand deaths in the world attributed to counterfeit Tuberculosis and Malaria medications and as per a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) around 10% of counterfeit medications are life threatening. The losses in profit for the pharmaceutical industry are estimated at US$ 46 billion a year due to trading of fake drugs. A study conducted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in 2013 showed that counterfeiting accounts for US$ 600 billion a year, counterfeit goods make up 5-7% of world trade, and the value of counterfeit goods is expected to exceed US$1.77 trillion by 2015.

The UAE has scored the lowest software piracy rate in the GCC region and Middle East and North African region (MENA) in 2014. Dubai Customs exhibits a robust development in officers capacity to detect counterfeit products. This has led to a significant surge in the number of seizures involving IP infringing goods. In 2014, more than 300 seizures worth over AED 36 million were made. During the first quarter of 2015, there were around 40 seizures of counterfeit products, valued at AED 4 million.

Besides DCs relentless efforts in thwarting the smuggling of counterfeit products, it also plays a major role in raising public awareness of IPR and the associated risks as it hosted seven tailored workshops in 2014, which targeted 160 government personnel. Moreover, nearly 48 awareness lectures were also conducted in 2014 with an attendance hitting 11,800 people.
At the Dubai Customs celebration of World IP Day, Mr Yousuf Ozair, Director of IPR Department at Dubai Customs, delivered the message of WIPO Director Mr. Francis Gurry for this occasion.
Mr Gurrys message underscored Today is a day to get up, stand up, for music to ensure that our musicians get a fair deal, and that we value their creativity and their unique contribution to our lives.

The Emirati talent Ibrahim Al Ebadli presented a premier performance of his song sponsored by Dubai Customs.
Also during the ceremony, due tribute was paid to Dubai Customs IPR partners from both the public and private sectors. From the government, the Ministry of Education, Emirates Intellectual Property Association and Dubai Police General Headquarters-Forensic Laboratory were recognised. And from the private sector, Cedar White Bradley Consulting was awarded for being the advocacy office with the largest number of trademark registration in 2014, and Rouse & Co for being the most cooperative law firm with Dubai Customs in 2014.

Winning schools and universities of the Dubai Customs IP Award 2015 were also honoured by Lt General Dahi Khalfan and H.E. Ahmed Mahboob. In the schools category, Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharkhi School - Fujairah claimed the award, while the UAE University- Al Ain was named winner of the IP award for universities.