In a concerted effort to bolster intellectual property (IP) rights awareness and combat counterfeiting within the Arab Republic of Egypt, Barasneh Intellectual Property, in partnership with Saad Sarhan Intellectual Property, recently concluded a series of impactful training workshops. The initiative, driven by the imperative to safeguard international trademarks and reinforce the role of Egyptian state agencies in IP protection, drew significant participation from approximately twelve multinational corporations alongside key governmental bodies. These included the Egyptian Intellectual Property Office (EGIPA), the Egyptian Customs Authority, and the General Organization for Export and Import Control, among other contributing entities.
Ahmed Al-Barasneh, Partner and Founder of Al-Barasneh Intellectual Property, underscored the critical importance of such training, emphasizing that IP protection transcends mere legal obligation, constituting a vital national, economic, and security imperative. He highlighted Egypt’s strategic position as a central hub in regional and international trade, driven by its substantial population, unique geographical location, and expanding manufacturing and technological capabilities. Protecting this dynamic market from counterfeit goods, he argued, is essential not only for upholding the rights of creators and businesses but also for ensuring consumer safety, stimulating investment, and fostering innovation.
Echoing this sentiment, Counsel Saad Mustafa Jalal Sarhan, Legal Advisor and Founder of Saad Sarhan Intellectual Property, stressed the need for heightened awareness regarding commercial fraud and the development of effective strategies to combat trademark counterfeiting and imitation, ultimately benefiting consumers. He asserted that robust IP rights enforcement is a cornerstone of investment growth and economic development, particularly in developing nations. Sarhan further noted that these workshops extended beyond Cairo Governorate, with similar sessions conducted in key coastal governorates, recognizing their ports as primary transit points for counterfeit goods. This strategic outreach facilitates crucial knowledge exchange between trademark owners, IP experts, and enforcement agencies, fostering the development of practical solutions.
Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Maher, Head of the Intellectual Property Rights Department at the Egyptian Customs Authority, affirmed the department’s active role as a key enforcement arm, working in close coordination with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant bodies. He emphasized that enhanced inter-agency collaboration positively impacts the quality of goods within the Egyptian market and contributes to national security by preventing the entry of counterfeit products. Maher also underscored the value of foreign companies engaging Egyptian legal agents, such as Al-Barasneh Intellectual Property and Saad Sarhan Intellectual Property, to streamline interactions with governmental IP protection agencies.
Dr. Fatma Samir Abdel Salam, representing EGIPA and serving as Executive Director of the National Academy for Intellectual Property, elucidated the crucial role of trademarks in product differentiation and brand identity. She highlighted the unique value of these workshops in addressing not only trademark registration procedures but also practical protection strategies against infringement. Dr. Fatma emphasized the necessity of collaboration between private sector trademark owners and all relevant enforcement bodies to effectively combat the widespread issue of counterfeiting in the Egyptian market. She outlined EGIPA’s core objectives under Intellectual Property Law No. 82 of 2002, including establishing a robust institutional framework for IP, creating an enabling legislative environment, and raising public awareness of IP rights through educational integration.
Concluding the workshops, Professor Dr. Hossam Ali Gad Al-Mawla, Acting Head of the Central Administration of Suez Customs, detailed the regulations requiring intellectual property right holders to provide a financial guarantee when requesting the suspension of counterfeit goods. This measure ensures the legitimacy of complaints and prevents the abuse of legal rights.
Major General Staff/ Ayman Abdel Fattah El-Sayed Mohamed, Head of the Central Administration of the Suez Branch of the General Organization for Export and Import Control, emphasized the critical importance of cooperation in safeguarding both trademark owners and consumers, ultimately preserving foreign investment and the Egyptian economy while protecting consumers from fraudulent products.
