Special to ag-IP-news Agency
AMMAN - Under the patronage of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, the Arab Society for Intellectual Property (ASIP), and in cooperation with the National Library of Jordan, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property, and the Licensing Executives Society–Arab countries, organized a workshop entitled “Collective Management and Copyrights,” at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University.
The event was held in celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day and in the presence of Mr. Mohammed Al-Abbadi, general manager of the National Library of Jordan, and attended by Mr. Michael Haealy, International Relations Executive Director of Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), and Ms. Anita Huss-Ekerhult, consultant at WIPO, as well as other association representatives and stakeholders concerned with creativity and innovation.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed on the importance of having a specialized entity in protecting the rights of innovators, and in guaranteeing their rights. This led to the unanimous decision of electing a team consisting of a member from each the National Library of Jordan and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) to create a draft law entitled, “Collective Management and Copyrights for Innovators” which will be presented to all associations concerned in innovation, and then presented to the government.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said, “The affiliation with the Society is optional, for both Jordanian and non-Jordanian innovators residing in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh indicated, “The management of Intellectual Property Rights”, particularly collective management of copyrights in the comprehensive sense for all intellectual innovation has become an urgent necessity with the need to develop related legislation, and spread awareness to all sectors that will benefit from it.
Mr. Al-Abbadi expressed his thanks to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh for his work and in holding this workshop indicating that one of the key factors for encouraging and promoting the development of Intellectual Property in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was the abolishment of the Jordan Media censorship on publications − as part of the reform measures led by His Majesty King Abdullah II that had positive effects in encouraging Arab authors in publishing their work in Jordan.
Ms. Hasiba Shaban, manager of ASIP, said that the workshop celebrates World Intellectual Property Day, innovation and creativity stating that the organization constantly works on developing Intellectual Property Rights based on the vision of its Chairman, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh.
Ms. Huss-Ekerhult stressed on the importance of World Intellectual Day, celebrated every year on April 26th, with this year’s topic entitled “Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined”. She indicated that there must be a balance between author, distributer and user, “With digital creativity and economic opportunity through Internet across the world, it is time to discuss the importance of Collective Management in Jordan.”
Mr. Haealy said, “The CCC, a not-for-profit organization, practices Collective Management in granting licenses, monitoring use of content, and collecting and distributing royalties to rights holders; as well as other cultural, social, educational and enforcement functions.”
Dr. Mohammed Abu-Alhijaa, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Middle East University, presented an action plan based on the national system and legal framework for copyrights of authors, for awareness in classifying types of copyrights, and other related rights, including the duration of those rights.
During the two-day workshop, various topics were tackled including the importance and role of copyrights and collective management in being the link between rights holders and users, in addition to promoting literature, music, arts, innovation, and economic development.