Abu Dhabi ready to host IPA Copyright Symposium
More than 250 delegates from 53 countries will gather in Abu Dhabi to discuss the challenge of copyright infringement and intellectual property to the publishing industry.
The Seventh IPA Copyright Symposium, from February 28 to March 1, will be organised by the International Publishers Association , Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and Kitab, organisers of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The Symposium is supported by the UAE's Ministry of Economy.
"Abu Dhabi is ready to host IPA Copyright Symposium. This is the first time the IPA Copyright Symposium has been held in the Arab World," said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of ADACH.
This year's symposium is held under the theme: "Evolving Rights Emerging Markets".
"IPA Copyright Symposium is another indication of the important steps taken by Abu Dhabi in the arena of publishing. It goes along the strategy of developing the Abu Dhabi Book Fair [ADBF] that was declared back in October 2006 and the establishment of Kitab, the company which is in charge of transforming ADBF to an international forum and a fair with the highest standards," added Al Mazrouei.
"The UAE is holding a prominent position in the worldwide list of countries that are keen to protect copyrights in all their forms and elements," he added. Symposium delegates will discuss a diversity of topics including "copyright and Islamic law", "new publishing models in the internet age" and "copyright and cultural policy".
The keynote speech, presented by Francis Gurry, Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the UN's lead agency for copyright law, is titled "Intellectual property: opportunities for emerging markets".
Monika Krauss, General Manager of Kitab, sad: "This is an important symposium for the emerging publishing industry in our region. It is yet another platform upon which they can interact with the international players and build knowledge. Hosting the symposium directly before the 20th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair allows delegates of both events to take full advantage of networking opportunities available."
Herman Spruijt, President of IPA, said: "We are extremely pleased to be bringing the symposium to Abu Dhabi and the Middle East for the first time, bringing together Arab and international delegates to discuss international copyright policy."
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