Saudi Customs in special project to seize counterfeit electrical appliances

News arrives of a special project being run by Saudi Customs in January 2013. 

Saudi Customs are working with the local Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO), which is based in Riyadh, of the World Customs Organisation on a one month special project targeting counterfeits of electrical appliances. The operation lasts for the month of January 2013. Other countries in the region have also been asked to participate. Customs are specifically targeting shipments passing through Jeddah seaport, Dammam seaport, Riyadh dry port and the border point with the UAE at Al Batha’a.

The WCO has worked for some years on these special projects in different regions with local Customs authorities to focus on particular products with good success.

This part of the Empty Quarter welcomes this initiative. By working with local Customs on specific products the WCO can share global knowledge and experience locally leading to increases in detentions and greater protection of the consumer from shoddy, deceitful product.

3rd Arab Forum for IPR Protection

The 3rd Arab Forum for IPR Protection will take place in Riyadh from 3rd to 5th March 2013. Details of the event can be found at www.ipr.gov.sa which are provided conveniently in both English and Arabic.

This part of the Empty Quarter supports all opportunities for officials, business people and academics to gather to discuss how best the IP regime can support businesses and consumers.

Further update on the 10th Edition of the Nice Classification

Good friends Saba & Co. have sent out their January newsletter which reports that:

"According to Ministerial Resolution no. 1147, dated October 16, 2012, the Saudi Trademark Office shifted its trademark classification system from the 9th edition to the 10th edition of the Nice International Classification for Goods and Services, which entered into force on January 1, 2012. This decision became effective on November 23, 2012 and applies to both new and pending applications. For pending applications, the Registrar may ask for a class amendment upon examination, or at the time of publication or registration."

The website version of the report (here) then provides a useful summary of which classification system is followed in many countries in the region. Some of this information is different

This part of the Empty Quarter is now going to have to do some proper work to identify which countries are signatories to the Nice Agreement and which editions each are following as the information from Saba is different from the information posted by me last month!