Dubai Index of Intellectual Property Launched

• DED announces quarterly index to monitor level of intellectual property protection
• First-of-its-kind index will promote best business practices and support innovation and trademarks

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has announced the launch of a quarterly indicator of the level of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in the emirate. The ‘Dubai Index of Intellectual Property,’ first of its kind in the region, is aimed to promote sustainable business practices as well as overall market confidence and trust between the public and private sectors.

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in DED has initiated the index as part of its efforts to improve the IPR environment, promote innovation and protect the economic interests of dealers, suppliers and patent owners.

The index will also serve as an accurate reading on the level of satisfaction with policies, practices, laws and regulations related to IPR protection. The index will be published every three months, starting with the first quarter of 2015.

His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, said market surveys and indices play a major role in DED’s efforts to develop economic legislation, adding that the IP index will also be of great importance to brand owners. “The Dubai Index of Intellectual Property will encourage innovation and growth, while protecting the legitimate interests of the traders and patent owners, thus promoting sustainable economic growth and greater competitiveness in Dubai’s retail sector.”

“The IPR index demonstrates CCCP’s efforts in protecting intellectual property rights. The index will also help identify areas for improvement in the regulatory policies, processes, and strategies in the domain of IPR protection by gathering opinions and expectations of brand owners, law firms, distributors and trading agencies,” stated Omar Bushahab, Chief Executive Officer of CCCP.

“CCCP has signed a partnership with the global research firm Nielsen to conduct the quarterly surveys as part of compiling the IP index. The surveys will also reveal the level of awareness on existing IPR laws and policies. A questionnaire will be sent to participants in the survey to provide their feedback on the level of IP protection,” added Bushahab.

The level of IP protection will be measured based on five main themes – Laws and regulations on IP protection; Commitment to applying existing laws and regulations; Level of awareness and knowledge of IPR and existing laws for protecting them; Impact of IP protection on economic growth and sustainable development and Overall satisfaction on IP protection levels.

CCCP also launched a quarterly Consumer Confidence Index Consumer of leading retail outlets in Dubai in 2011. The index now provides a reliable metric for retailers, banks, construction companies and other important players in the economic sector in Dubai to develop their strategies and adapt them to prevailing concerns, suggestions and opinions of consumers.