The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), an alliance representing more than 1,400 American companies, commended Lebanon for passing a comprehensive intellectual property rights law last March. IIPA encouraged the government to enforce the law and amend some of its clauses. IIPA claimed that the amendments were necessary to bring the law in line with existing international treaties and to make it compatible with the standards of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
According to IIPA, piracy-related losses incurred in Lebanon by U.S. copyright-based industries reached $14.2 million last year. The piracy level in the country in 1998 stood at 80% for films and videos, 75% for business software, and 60% for international sound recordings. Last May, the United States Department of Commerce upgraded Lebanon’s ranking from its "observation list" to the "watch list" regarding violations of intellectual property rights in the country.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property Bulletins
For further information you make also like to view the Intellectual Property Bulletins published monthly by The Abu-Ghazaleh Group.
