Ramallah- 11/12/2015 Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA " organized two separate seminars, in Ramallah and Gaza, this week,  that discussed the study draft  "Intellectual property and freedom of expression" in Palestine, which will be published by the Center soon.

 

 

Mr. Mousa Rimawi – MADA director  general said that ” we at MADA noted the big problem regarding the protection of intellectual property in Palestine, rather than the escalation of intellectual property violations  stressing that " MADA"  will work to promote  this right,  and to spread a culture that  respect intellectual property.

 

He called for the enactment of a modern law to protect intellectual property in Palestine, in cooperation with all concerned governmental and NGOs, clarifying that notes and recommendations   of the participants will be taken into consideration to enrich the study and to develop MADA approach in this field.

 

Researcher Taghreed Sa’adeh, who prepared the study reviewed the study draft, and said that there are several laws dealing with intellectual property issues in Palestine, dating back to the British Mandate period, noting that it requires certain amendments and development. 

 

She added the Palestinian Authority did not enact a law to protect intellectual property, although there have been a preparation of several drafts of Intellectual Property, since 1996, then in 2000 and finally in 2006 which was discussed by the legislative.

 

Dr. Ahmad Hammad the coordinator of” MADA” in Gaza Strip, said that this study is part of MADA work  to enhance media freedoms and serve the media development.

 

Mr. Karem Nashwan legal adviser of “MADA” in Gaza Strip provided a brief explanation and legal framework of intellectual property and the efforts of the center in terms of contributing to the development of legislation system that protects freedom of opinion and expression and the right of access to information.

 

Participants in the two seminars “journalists, academics, representatives of official institutions, lawyers and activists” stressed the importance of MADA initiative in launching a process that aims to address this “file”, which “meets an important national and legal need".

 

 

 

Moreover, emphasized  the importance of  raising awareness of existing  laws, and encourage those affected to resort to courts as one of several ways to end the violations of this right ( intellectual property ), thus, there must be a continuing process by MADA to organize advocacy campaigns  to promote the importance of the intellectual property protection .