BEIRUT, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon on Wednesday signed an agreement with a Jordan-based global organization for cooperation in intellectual property rights protection, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG), a global organization for professional services and education, and Lebanon's economy ministry will cooperate to protect intellectual property rights, fight against counterfeiting, and support small and medium enterprises, according to the agreement signed between Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam and Talal Abu Ghazaleh, TAG chairman.
Salam stressed the need to activate Lebanon's Directorate of Intellectual Property Protection given the impact of intellectual property on the economy, according to the NNA report.
Companies will not be encouraged to invest in research and development in an environment that does not protect their intellectual property rights and the outcome of their investments, the minister said.
Over the years, TAG has closely coordinated with governments in the Middle East in drafting laws and regulations for enforcing intellectual property rights. ■
