Government to upgrade trademarks' database

Final measures to set up a database of local and international trademarks will be completed over the next six months, Mohamed Abdul Aal, Head of the Trademarks Department, an affiliate of the Ministry of Supply, said at the 43rd meeting of the Software Manufacturers Union yesterday.

He added that the computer network of the department, which includes 85,000 local trade marks will be totally upgraded.

International trademarks will be checked using the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the domestic network and the Internet, which includes 92,000 global trademarks, he added.

Intellectual property law has adopted a tough stance towards the falsification of trademarks and imitation products, stipulating confiscation of such products, he noted, adding that trademarks will be checked constantly by trained inspectors.