UAE to enable first system for registering intellectual property on Blockchain

During the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) Innovation in Digital Transformation Conference it was announced that UAE will enable the first system for registering intellectual property on Blockchain.

The conference opened with a speech delivered by His Excellency Mohammad Al Kitbi, TDRA’s Deputy Director General for Support Services Sector, in which he stressed the importance of the ICT sector in supporting innovation and development in various sectors, as well as TDRA's efforts to transform innovation into a culture and a lifestyle, saying: “Holding the conference during the UAE Innovation Month comes within the framework of our commitment to share views and discuss relevant topics as part of this annual event, which embodies the vision of our wise leadership towards establishing innovation as a culture of life and a method of work, where the UAE has made remarkable achievements in several areas related to innovation in government work and ICT sector. It’s all thanks to the vision of our wise leadership, which has always been a source of inspiration for the people of the UAE, and a catalyst for action and creative thinking.”

H.E. Al Kitbi added: “We at TDRA realize the importance of fostering a culture of innovation in our various business models, driven by the massive changes across the world, including new and rapidly evolving technologies, requiring unprecedented ways of thinking. We are also constantly eager to be a key contributor to the UAE’s journey towards the future by taking part in the development of UAE's innovation system. As such, we always work in cooperation with all government entities, and strengthen our joint action with our network of partners from the private sector and international organizations in accordance with best standards and practices and based on our belief that human interaction is a fertile ground for the emergence of new ideas and innovative projects that add real value to human life.”

The conference discussed 4 main topics: the role of innovation in the telecommunications sector, accelerating innovation in the era of digital transformation, the role of blockchain technology in protecting intellectual property, and the successful digital transformation journey (leveraging the ICT infrastructure of the federal government). It also showcased successful digital innovation projects from Hackathon UAE.

In the session “The Role of Blockchain Technology in the Protection of Intellectual Property”, Motasem Abu-Ghazaleh, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, spoke about the seven types of intellectual property, and the procedures currently in place globally to register intellectual property rights between countries, describing them as tiring and difficult because they are not well developed.

Abu-Ghazaleh highlighted the importance of using the “blockchain” technology in the processes of registering intellectual property rights between countries, noting that the UAE has great achievements in the field of “blockchain”, and it has many government achievements in the applications of this technology.

He said: “The UAE has a prominent position globally in the use of “Blockchain”, thanks to the adoption of this technology in various sectors, as is the case in Emirates Airlines, DP World, Emirates NBD, and in the government sector through the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority and Dubai Digital Authority.” He then highlighted that the UAE has great potentials that enable it to establish the first system for registering intellectual property protection certificates in the region and the world based on "blockchain", noting that the world needs to develop work mechanisms between countries that depend on modern technologies, which saves time and effort.

Mohammed Al Khamis, Director Development Department at TDRA, reviewed during the "Successful Digital Transformation Journey" session, the Digital Government Plan aimed at establishing a 100% digital government. Al Khamis also highlighted the achievements of Digital Government through UAEPass; Which is the first digital national identity that allows users to access the services of local and federal government entities, as well as other service providers.