press releases 2009

U.S. Government sponsors a border protection and intellectual property rights workshop

June 16, 2009

Ambassador Michele J. Sison, along with the Minister of Finance Mohammad Chatah, Minister of the Interior Ziad Baroud and the Minister of Energy Alain Tabourian, opened a three day workshop on Border Protection and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in collaboration with the Basil Fuleihan Institute of Finance.

Representatives of Lebanese ministries and agencies concerned with enforcing IPR laws are participating in the workshop, including officers from General Customs, the Internal Security Forces, General Security, the Common Border Force and officials from the Ministries of Finance, Health, the Environment, and Justice.  Private sector rights' holders and members of the Brand Protection Group will present case studies detailing recurring and serious violations of brand names, copyrights and trademarks.  

Experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Patent and Trade Officer (USPTO) and the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Bureau with discuss methods to combat intellectual property crimes and recommended effective law enforcement techniques.  The workshop will highlight how violations have a negative impact on businesses, workers' livelihoods and may threaten consumers’ health and safety.