Page 510 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

2/28/25, 8:39 AM The First International Reprographic Rights Conference Kicks Off in the UAE - Middle East News 247
The conference agenda on its first day featured panel discussions centred around the event’s key themes.
Majd Al Shehhi led a session titled ‘Unauthorised Use and Its Impact on the Income of Creative Works,’

which included contributions from His Excellency Dr Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the
Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy; Jim Alexander, International Director of the Copyright
Agency at IFRRO; Dr Sharon Wong from the Hong Kong Copyright Licensing Association; and Dr

Mohammed Al Kamali from ERRA.

In another panel moderated by Jim Alexander, Michael Healy, Executive Director of Rights Owners and
International Relations at CCC, discussed ‘Collective Management as a Solution’ with Sarah Tran from
IFRRO, James Bennett from the UK Copyright Licensing Agency, and Ana Maria Cabanillas from the
Copyright Administration Centre in Argentina (CADRA).

A third session, titled ‘Artificial Intelligence and Libraries in the Digital Age,’ explored the impact of

technological developments on libraries’ future and AI’s role in enhancing access to knowledge and
protecting reprographic rights. Moderated by Alia Al Shamsi, the panel featured Fatima Al Hosani from the
Ministry of Economy, Michael Healy from CCC, Nadia Masoud from the University of Sharjah, and Sheikha Al

Mutairi from the Emirates Library and Information Association.

The session focused on how creators and institutions adapt to digital and societal transformations impacting

intellectual property rights. Notable attendees included writer and media figure Mohammed Bin Dakhin,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of ERRA; His Excellency Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the
Emirates Publishers Association; Dr Abdullah Al Sharhan, Secretary and Member of the Board of Directors of

ERRA; writer Nadia Al Najjar; and Ahmed Hussein, CEO of the Malaysia Copyright Centre (MARC).

Honouring

The first day also featured an honouring ceremony in an initiative that underscores the conference’s

commitment to recognising pioneering efforts in copyright protection and fostering international cooperation.
During the event, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi presented appreciation awards to key strategic
partners, including His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Ministry of Economy and Sarah Tran, IFRRO,

as well as the conference speakers. This recognition celebrated their valuable contributions to raising
awareness of intellectual property and reprographic rights while highlighting their efforts to keep pace with
digital and legislative developments in the field.

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