1 Intellectual Property rights in the Cyber space in the Syrian legislation Amman, December 2007

2 Intellectual Property Rights Structure Min. of Culture Copyrights and Related Rights Min. of Economy and Trade Industrial and Commercial property NGOs SIPA

3 History and Legal Basis * Since 1910 Othman Copyright Law was implemented in Syria. * After independence in 1946, the first specialized law in copyright (Law no. 12/2001) was released.* After independence in 1946, the first specialized law in copyright (Law no. 12/2001) was released. * Law no. 12/2001 has to be amended to meet the international agreements in such domain and to establish the collective management.* Law no. 12/2001 has to be amended to meet the international agreements in such domain and to establish the collective management.

4 Accomplishments on Copyright * Establishing Copyright directorate within the Ministry of Culture in 2002.* Establishing Copyright directorate within the Ministry of Culture in * Fighting piracy; Lawsuits against it reached 500 files by the end of 2004.* Fighting piracy; Lawsuits against it reached 500 files by the end of * Implementing Self-registration scheme, files reached 350 by the end of 2004.* Implementing Self-registration scheme, files reached 350 by the end of * Syria joined Bern Convention for literal & artistic works as per decree 16/2004.* Syria joined Bern Convention for literal & artistic works as per decree 16/2004. * Syria joined Rome Convention for Performance and phonogram's producers in October 2005.* Syria joined Rome Convention for Performance and phonogram's producers in October * Establishing the first NGO for copyright in Syria.* Establishing the first NGO for copyright in Syria.

5 SIPA: The 1 st NGO on Copyright in Syria In 2002 efforts have been gathered to establish an NGO that involved in Intellectual Property Rights in Syria (SIPA)In 2002 efforts have been gathered to establish an NGO that involved in Intellectual Property Rights in Syria (SIPA) SIPA, the first collective management established in 2004 and ratified by November/2005.SIPA, the first collective management established in 2004 and ratified by November/2005. SIPA aims at establishing a good knowledge in Copyright in all its domains, i.e. trade marks, industrial design, patents, copyright and geographical indications.SIPA aims at establishing a good knowledge in Copyright in all its domains, i.e. trade marks, industrial design, patents, copyright and geographical indications.

6 Issues to work on Finalizing the amendment of Law 12/2001 especially what concerns more protection on the cyberspaceFinalizing the amendment of Law 12/2001 especially what concerns more protection on the cyberspace Permitting the IP/NGO to co-operate with the government to fight piracy in the cyberspace.Permitting the IP/NGO to co-operate with the government to fight piracy in the cyberspace. Training the official employees on the issues of cyberspace piracy and how to fight it, and what are the legal procedures to be taken.Training the official employees on the issues of cyberspace piracy and how to fight it, and what are the legal procedures to be taken.

7 Issues to work on Raising expertise for fighting piracy on the net.Raising expertise for fighting piracy on the net. Reforming the Copyright Directorate to assure a better performance on the cyberspace.Reforming the Copyright Directorate to assure a better performance on the cyberspace. Implementing new initiatives to enforce cyber regulations in SyriaImplementing new initiatives to enforce cyber regulations in Syria Increasing public and community awareness of the importance of such topic.Increasing public and community awareness of the importance of such topic.

8 Thank you Presented by: Rabie Khashaneh Chairman of the Syrian Intellectual Property Association SYRIA