The global voice for consumers La voix des Consommateurs à travers le monde La voz global para la defensa de los consumidores

Country report for Lebanon for CI Regional Meeting on A2K Mohamad AL Darwish Consumers Lebanon/ Lawyer 17 February 2009

Summary of issues of concern to consumers in Lebanon – Private Universities and schools depend on foreign curriculums such as French, American and British. Imported learning materials are expensive, and are available in a few bookstores. – Lack of public libraries is a big issue, thus forcing students to buy the original books. Libraries in universities provide the books, but have restrictions on photocopying. – region coding and DRM is a problem in Lebanon. – Law 75/99 prohibited copying whole books or large sections, although photocopy centres are not abiding by this. – Local content is used in public schools and universities and is usually cheap – Black and Grey markets are widely spread in Lebanon, especially regarding software, and fulfils most needs.

Lebanon intellectual property regime – Berne convention (1947), UCC (1959), Roma convention of 1961 (1997), Paris Convention – Local laws regarding patents and copyright have been inspired by these conventions and treaties. – In 2002 Lebanon signed a bilateral agreement with the European Union. – In 2008, Lebanon has been moved from the priority watch list to the Watch list. – Lack of awareness of IP alternatives.

Other communications rights in Lebanon – Some political blogs are monitored while s are not. – Internet access is not filtered. – Net neutrality is not considered an issue in the private sector, though Voice over IP is banned and available in the black market, as the government doesn't want a competitor for its international calls. – Penal laws protect privacy, and the law 140/99.

Access to the Internet in Lebanon – Very low penetrations to broadband, fixed-line and Internet mobile services is almost negligible. – some villages the internet is not available due to defects in infrastructure. Still some issues on the quality of the internet for example.DSL subscribers till 2008 are only. – Recently the internet rates have been notably reduced, but still the value is not worth the money paid.

Conclusions The main reason for Consumers Lebanon attending this meeting is to get use of the expertise of other countries. Internet and software companies have formed several committees and lobbys in Lebanon to enforce passing of new regulations and implementation of IP rules their own way. We need to form a lobby that ensures fair rules are passed without any influence, and to aware consumers about IP alternatives and sources.

Mohamad Darwish Lawyer/ Consumers Lebanon