Two Training Courses in Intellectual Property

Date 2018-05-17

LOCATION Ramallah & Gaza

MUSAWA Organizes Two Training Courses in Ramallah and Gaza:
Introducing Intellectual Property: Means of Protection

Given the importance of intellectual property as an integral part of academic freedom as well as the freedom of expression stipulated in the Constitution, MUSAWA – The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession organized two training courses on the topic to raise awareness among trainee and recently licensed lawyers. The training courses were held at MUSAWA’s offices in Ramallah and Gaza, the first of which (12, 13, 16 May; 3 hours/day) targeted 24 participants, including 10 women, while the second one (13, 16, 17 May; 3 hours/day) targeted 17 participants, including 8 women.

The training courses tackled the definition of intellectual property and the national, international, and regional legislation regulating intellectual property; national and international patents and trademarks; civil and criminal protection of intellectual property; the role of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in resolving intellectual property disputes; the applicability of the Paris Agreement in Palestine; the definition of pirating, and the reasons for the aggravation of brain drain; the most prominent provisions of the Trademark Law No. 33 of 1952 and the Law on Inventions No. 22 of 1953; and the regime and its impact on the expansion of intellectual property to promote and manifest the right to freedom of expression, academic freedom and freedom of scientific research. Moreover, the facilitators, Adv. Emily Ghazawi in Ramallah and Advisor Mohammad Abdul Bari Attaallah in Gaza, incorporated practical comparisons into the training.

At the end of the training, the participants recommended that the national legislation on intellectual property be reconsidered to make sure it stays up to date and in line with the relevant international treaties. They also recommended that more training courses of this kind be carried out to reach a wider variety of beneficiaries.