By Mubarak Al-Enezi
KUWAIT, May 28 (KUNA) -- Kuwait has made quantum and significant strides in legislation germane to the ownership of intellectual property, punctuated by the country's approval of a copyright law earlier this month.
At a time when copyright infringement, particularly, in the educational, commercial and healthcare sectors, has become prevalent, it is imperative to generate social awareness on the importance of protecting intellectual copyrights.
Moreover, laws aimed at preserving intellectual copyrights have been enacted as far back as 1962, as such laws have become a trusted resource for information on actions taken to criminalize copyright infringement.
In addition, copyright infringement took a perilous turn in the healthcare sector when counterfeit medications were introduced to the healthcare market, subsequently posing a grave health risk to consumers.
Meanwhile, Kuwait has always been cognizant of the significance of protecting intellectual property, as evidenced by the country's signing of numerous agreements designed to ratchet up international collaboration to protect intellectual copyrights.
In a move that showcased Kuwait's commitment to protecting literary copyrights, the country's Ministry of Information formed, in 2001, a special department tasked with ensuring the protection of intellectual property in the country.
In statements to KUNA on Saturday, Chairman of the Kuwait Society for the Protection of Intellectual Rights Sheikh Salman Dawood Al-Sabah said that the society has asked to form an independent entity assigned to handle laws pertinent to the protection of intellectual copyrights.
"We have all suffered from copyright infringement, and consumers sometimes find it difficult to distinguish between what is authentic and what is not," Sheikh Salman Dawood noted. He also added that such fraudulent behavior has taken place in the food market as well, pointing out that children are the most susceptible to such deceit.
The country will continue to work to develop copyright protection laws, which would in turn, "boost confidence in the national economy due to the fact that investors often look for laws that protect them," Sheikh Salman said.
"Kuwait has forged a solid reputation due to a highly transparent and efficient stock exchange, in addition to an active central bank and a stable currency," he added.
Sheikh Salman Al-Dawood also pointed to measures taken by the western world to protect agricultural production, where companies have recently been instructed to provide intricate details behind their products, so as to familiarize consumers with what they purchase.
Meanwhile, in comments to KUNA, Kuwaiti writer Talib Al-Refaie noted that intellectual ownership has been the focal point of the literary world for quite some time, due to the wealth of information it encompasses, which includes social media websites, which facilitate the spread and exchange of information.
Moreover, Al-Refaie added that developed nations have strived to maximize protection of intellectual rights by supporting sole ownership, a method that protects works from potential theft or infringement. He also underscored that copyright laws in the Arab world are not on par with international standards, saying that intellectual theft has become pervasive in the region.
Another writer, Laila Ahmad, told KUNA that "copyright laws are applicable in Kuwait, but there exists a state of legislative chaos." She also added that in order for such laws to be in full effect, certain official procedures should be in place.
Issued in 1999, a law aimed at protecting intellectual rights covers all material in literature and arts, regardless of their form or category. In addition, a person is deemed an inventor if he comes up with any idea and registers it under his or her name, or any other way that cites their ownership.
According to one of the clauses of the law, all those found guilty of copyright infringement will be either incarcerated for a period of one year, or fined with a sum of at least KD 500. The court also has the right to confiscate any monetary gains such offenders could have amassed through fraudulent means. (end) ysa.nam