GAS and Ministry of Economy organise ‘Intellectual Property in the Sports Sector’ awareness workshop aimed at enhancing the national economy

The General Authority of Sports (GAS) organised the ‘Intellectual Property in the Sports Sector’ workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy (MoE) and in partnership with the UAE Sports Science and Sports Medicine Centre. The workshop was a vital component of the collective effort among these entities within the ‘Intellectual Property in the Sports Sector’ initiative. This initiative is one of the 11 initiatives established under the new intellectual property system introduced earlier in the year by the MoE, in collaboration with various entities across the UAE. The goal of this system is to foster innovation and creativity within the country.

The workshop was led by Dina Moselhi, a technical expert from the Innovation Development and Industrial Property Department, and Nawal Al Junaibi, a trademarks technician from the Trademarks Department, both representing the Ministry of Economy. With a primary emphasis on the importance of intellectual property in the sports sector, the workshop focussed on various pertinent topics such as trademarks, patents, and industrial models. Its main aim was to heighten awareness, promote innovation, and ensure the protection of intellectual property rights within the sports industry. Attendees included GAS personnel as well as partners from various sports agencies and government organisations.

His Excellency Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General for the General Authority of Sports, commended the collaboration between the General Authority of Sports and the Ministry of Economy for the ‘Intellectual Property in the Sports Sector’ initiative. H.E. said: “Our partnership with the Ministry of Economy highlights our dedication to upholding the principles recently established by GAS for the UAE’s sports sector, namely governance, partnership and achievement. This entails raising awareness on the importance of intellectual property, fostering innovation, and attracting investments in alignment with the government’s directives to transition towards a new economic model rooted in knowledge and innovation.”

H.E. added: “The main objective of this initiative is to provide the best international practices and strengthen the national framework for protecting intellectual property within the UAE’s sports sector. It aims to attract foreign investments in sports and consolidate the UAE’s leading position and unique presence in the global sports arena.” He stated that the objectives of this initiative are in line with the National Sports Strategy 2031, which aims to boost the contribution of sports to the non-oil GDP, targeting a 0.5 per cent increase by 2031. This projected growth is estimated to be approximately eight times greater than the current economic returns of sports in the national economy.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy, said: “The Ministry of Economy has successfully established a nurturing and secure environment for creators and innovators, implementing pioneering regulations to safeguard intellectual property. These include the Law on the Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property Rights, the Law on Trademarks, and the Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Furthermore, the Ministry has introduced an integrated intellectual property system aimed at fostering growth through innovation and creativity across various sectors.” His Excellency underscored that the collaboration with the General Authority of Sports represents a strategic step in promoting the adoption of intellectual property practices within the sports industry. This sector plays a pivotal role in enhancing the nation’s competitiveness and facilitating comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development. By facilitating the protection of intellectual property rights in sports, such as broadcast rights and trademarks, its objective is to attract investments in sports and encourage growth through innovation and knowledge.

Workshop participants received certificates of participation, enhancing their educational and professional growth. They had the opportunity to gain insights on the latest trends and challenges within the UAE’s sports sector, while also understanding the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights within the sector. Furthermore, they benefited from valuable networking opportunities with sector experts and professionals. Additionally, they acquired knowledge about the substantial impact of registering sports club trademarks with the Ministry of Economy, which not only contributes to boosting the national economy but also supports the objectives outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031.

It is crucial to emphasise that the collaboration among the three entities continues with a range of initiatives, educational courses, and workshops scheduled for April, coinciding with World Intellectual Property Day. These programs aim to improve intellectual property practices among professionals in the sports sector. The culmination of these efforts will be the signing of a cooperative agreement between the Ministry of Economy and the General Authority of Sports, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of joint initiatives between both parties.