The Ministry of Culture and Information has launched a number of initiatives that will make the Kingdom a regional leader in the battle against entertainment and information piracy. Iyad Madani, Minister of Culture, has set up an Internet site with information on piracy and author, composer and publishing rights. Saudi Arabia is the first country in the region to carry out such an initiative in applying the law. The head of the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), Eric Smith, welcomed the move: “We commend the government of the Kingdom and especially the Ministry of Culture for taking this historic step in the fight against piracy. The launch of the website by the ministry, supported by a committee for the review of violations within the ministry, shows the effort and commitment on the part of the Saudi government to create new and effective ways to fight what is an increasing social and economic threat,” he said. Fines and prison Smith continued by outlining expected deterrents to would-be pirates, saying: “We are all encouraged by the hope that this transparency will lead to fines and punishments that deter stores and ambulant traders who deal in pirated material, and also prison sentences for those who deal in large-scale piracy.” In 2006, the Kingdom adopted a strict policy on violations of intellectual property rights (IPR) through meetings with the US government and the IIPA. “Unfortunately,” Smith said, “many criminal elements continue to exploit strong commercial growth in the Kingdom, which has led to a spread in the sale of pirated material, and adversely affected law-abiding Saudi industries.” “This current year the Kingdom is concentrating on helping the IIPA to complete its transparency initiatives and its strict execution of the law,” according to Smith, “while also focusing on using the law for computer programs in government circles and Saudi companies, and reform in the publishing law.” Harm and hope Scott Butler, the executive head of the Arab Anti-Piracy Union, spoke of the harm caused by the appropriation of intellectual property: “Piracy has caused great damage to economic growth and innovation, and apart from breaking the law it causes companies considerable loss and leaves the consumer the victim.” The positive measures that have been taken by the Kingdom bode well for intellectual property rights in the future, he said. “The protection of publishing rights,” he continued, “is an essential factor for lasting economic and social development.” – Okaz __
