Latest news with #intellectualproperty
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Ministry of Economy awards second collective music management licence to Music Nation
The UAE Ministry of Economy granted its second collective music management licence to 'Music Nation' during a ceremony held at its headquarters in Dubai. The licence authorises the organisation to manage the distribution of rights on behalf of music creators and performers, while also ensuring nationwide compliance among music platforms. The announcement was made during an event attended by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, and Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Under-Secretary for Intellectual Property. The Ministry confirmed that the licence was issued in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 concerning copyright and related rights. It marks the continuation of the Ministry's efforts to strengthen intellectual property frameworks in the UAE, following the first collective management licence awarded to the Emirates Music Rights Association in April 2025. Al Saleh said, 'Under the vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has placed strategic emphasis on enhancing the competitiveness of its cultural and creative industries, driving their growth both regionally and globally. Recognising their vital role in national economic growth, we are committed to fostering public-private collaboration to cultivate an enabling environment for talent and innovation. By elevating the creative economy's legislative framework to world-class standards, we aim to expand the private sector's participation in it, in line with the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2031.' The Under-Secretary said in his speech, 'The Ministry remains committed to establishing a world-class copyright governance system, drawing on international best practices. We are achieving this through strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, fostering investment in creative sectors, and implementing robust collective management systems. These measures safeguard intellectual property rights while building creators' trust in the nation's creative ecosystem.' 'The collective music management licence serves as a catalyst for cultural innovation while safeguarding artists' intellectual property rights. Through establishing transparent revenue distribution systems and fair compensation mechanisms, it elevates the UAE's music industry - enhancing its global competitiveness and positioning our nation as a premier hub for creative enterprises,' he added. Al Saleh emphasised that awarding the licence to 'Music Nation' marks a strategic milestone in the UAE's commitment to fostering creativity. The initiative unlocks new opportunities for artists, writers, and producers while strengthening rights protection and leveraging creative-economy tools - ultimately positioning the sector as a key driver of national economic growth. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini said, 'Our music industry is witnessing remarkable growth, fuelled by an expanding ecosystem of creative enterprises and world-class events. Dubai alone boasts 350 live music venues, while the national streaming market generated US$841.9 million in 2024 - projected to nearly triple to $2.3 billion by 2030. To sustain this momentum, the Ministry of Economy is prioritising robust legislative frameworks that will further catalyse the creative economy and foster artistic innovation.' He added, 'Building on last month's inaugural licence granted to the Emirates Music Rights Association, today marks another significant milestone with the official authorisation of Music Nation. We are actively collaborating with local and global partners, including industry associations and legal experts, to share best practices that drive sector growth. In tandem, we're expanding awareness initiatives to ensure artists, composers, and producers fully leverage these licences to protect both their creative works and financial interests.' 'Today marks a pivotal moment for the UAE and Music Nation,' said Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Music Nation. 'After years of careful planning, Music Nation is positioned to become a cornerstone of music licensing, empowering the Emirates' vibrant creative industry. As an Emarati, I am honoured to establish a world-class music rights infrastructure that not only elevates local artists to greater heights, but also showcases our rich musical heritage and cultural traditions to the world. In partnership with industry leaders BMI and SoundExchange, our cutting-edge technology and services will protect music rights holders and propel the UAE's music economy to new frontiers.'
Japan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Government adopts new intellectual property program to enhance competitiveness
The government adopted a new intellectual property promotion program at a meeting of a relevant council on Tuesday, with an aim to boost the country's presence in the international arena. The 2025 version is designed to enhance Japan's international competitiveness in the field of intellectual property through utilizing advanced digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and attracting foreign talent. "Intellectual property is an important revenue source for Japan and plays a critical role in bolstering Japanese companies' competitiveness," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads the intellectual property strategy headquarters, said at the meeting. "To create competitive intellectual properties, we will thoroughly reinforce AI utilization." The government aims to raise the country's ranking in the World Intellectual Property Organization's annual Global Innovation Index to fourth or higher by 2035. Japan was 13th in the 2024 rankings, while Switzerland ranked first, followed by Sweden and the United States. Japan was at its highest on the rankings in 2007, at fourth place. Under the new program, the government will create an environment to draw top-level researchers in AI and other fields from abroad. It will also support intellectual property-related human resources development for startups and improve productivity in the intellectual property field using AI. The measures are aimed at boosting scores on evaluation criteria for which Japan is currently poorly rated, such as the amount of foreign investment. The program also includes a policy to promote the overseas expansion of domestic industries related to "Cool Japan" soft power, including anime in which Japan has strength. It calls for accelerating anime tourism, or travel to real-life locations that appear in anime. The government hopes to expand the economic impact of related industries to ¥50 trillion ($347 billion) by 2033. The program said that a conclusion needs to be swiftly reached on various issues regarding defining inventors, amid controversy over whether AI developers should be recognized as the creators of related inventions. It also sought a study on revising legislation, including the design law, to strengthen protecting designs in the "metaverse" virtual world. At the headquarters meeting, the government also adopted a fresh strategy aimed at having Japanese product standards adopted around the world. The first revision to the strategy in 19 years includes establishing a new public-private command center and intensive support in eight fields, including digital and AI technology and disaster management.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
3 Tips To Communicate The Value Of Your Patented Invention
What is the purpose of patenting an invention? Is it a legal formality akin to paperwork? A box to check? No. Intellectual property is a tool to transform a new idea into a product or a service by attracting investment and forming critical partnerships. When approached correctly, it is one of the most powerful tools an inventor can have. Sometimes, a patent is used to commercialize a new product right away. But other times, especially in academic research, it means protecting foundational knowledge that may take years, even decades, to reach real-world impact. Patents help enable commercialization when the time is right and preserve the right to innovate over the long term. Here's the catch. For a patent to do its job, the value of the invention must be clearly communicated. You can't just file a patent and post a description on a website and hope the phone rings. This is especially true for universities, whose inventions are typically complex and technical. Whether the go-to-market strategy is to license the technology, raise funding, or form a startup, articulating what makes the invention useful requires as much clarity as the research behind it. That's why inventors and IP professionals alike must embrace speaking in plain language, connecting with broader audiences, and demonstrating real-world relevance. In her role as Executive Director of the Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships at UNC Charlotte, Laura Peter exemplifies this awareness. The former USPTO Deputy Director proactively communicates the value of intellectual property arising from the university in creative ways, from hosting public events and creating awards to encouraging researchers to think about commercial applications of their work. Laura Peter, Executive Director of Research Commercialization and Partnerships at UNC Charlotte Winners of the 2025 UNC Charlotte inaugural Invention of the Year awards. Notably, in April Peter hosted UNC Charlotte's inaugural Invention of the Year Awards. Held shortly after the university achieved R1 status, the evening honored faculty, students, and staff whose patented technologies are solving pressing problems, from wireless energy transfer and liver preservation to advanced 3D printing methods. Designed to showcase the university's growing innovation ecosystem, more than two dozen judges, mostly from industry, helped select the award winners. There was a lot to celebrate: UNC Charlotte now ranks fifth in the nation for new patent filings per research dollar and third for creating new startup companies per research dollar. In just five years, patent filings have accelerated by 200 percent. By recognizing the people behind the patents and placing their work in the public spotlight, the event invited deeper collaboration with industry and affirmed IP as a living, public-facing asset. It was also effective in raising awareness: One attendee confessed that they had 'no idea' this kind of research was taking place at the university. It's rare to see inventors publicly celebrated for their contributions. This public-facing perspective is critical, especially now, when federal funding for university research is being closely scrutinized. One graduate of UNC Charlotte has already proven what's possible when a groundbreaking innovation and effective communication go hand in hand. Dr. Jennifer Pagán didn't just develop a breakthrough water disinfection technology using UV-C LED light as a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering, she turned her invention into a thriving global business. With the help of UNC Charlotte's technology transfer office, she patented and licensed her technology to a local company working from the campus incubator. She went on to co-found AquiSense Technologies, whose UV-C disinfection systems are now used everywhere from Antarctica to the International Space Station. Her journey as an innovator benefitted from the support of federal funding, including SBIR grants. With Peter's encouragement, Pagán has begun telling her story to national audiences. She was recently featured in a "From Campus to Commerce" video by the National Academy of Inventors and selected as one of the Bayh-Dole Coalition's "2025 Faces of American Innovation." Her journey underscores the reality that a patent is not the finish line, it's the starting gate. From writing claims to finding use cases, every step of commercialization depends on communicating the value of the innovation to funders, partners, and end users. Drawing on decades in industry, government, and now academia, Peter offers this advice to inventors hoping to take their ideas to market. 1. Speak plainly. Technical brilliance means little if others can't understand it. Rarely are the benefits of an invention obvious to a non-expert. 'Inventors often don't know how to talk about their invention in a relatable way,' Peter says. Whether she is translating the technical expert language into legal language for a patent or into more common parlance for potential investors, she thinks of her role as an intellectual property attorney as a translator. Remember, whether you're pitching to investors or potential licensees, clarity is key. Don't make the mistake of assuming that the benefit of your invention is obvious. Challenge yourself to capture the benefit of your invention in the shortest phrase possible. 2. Explore more use cases. Peter frequently challenges inventors on campus to consider commercial applications by asking: "What else can it be used for?" That kind of thinking — which is then reflected in the patent claims themselves — is vital for commercialization. 3. Tell the story. Communicating the value of what you've invented is not limited to the invention. The people, context, and potential outcomes matter. Stories are more memorable and persuasive than technical details. Capture the evolution of your invention — with photos, anecdotes, and milestones — to build a story others can easily follow later on. Whether you're tinkering in a garage or conducting federally funded research, the challenge is the same: A patent only creates value when people understand what makes your invention matter. As Laura Peter's work at UNC Charlotte shows, when inventors combine strategic IP with clear storytelling, their ideas don't just get protected — they get adopted, funded, and scaled. That's how inventions leave the lab and start changing lives.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Instagram account dedicated to masturbation suspended after allegedly infringing University of Melbourne's trademark
A social media account dedicated to 'gooning' on campus has been suspended by Meta after allegedly infringing the trademark rights of the University of Melbourne (UoM). The Instagram page, titled the 'University of Melbourne Gooning Club' used the handle 'unimelbgooning' and posted satirical memes related to the slang term, which colloquially refers to lengthy masturbation. A spokesperson for the UoM said it was recently made aware of the Instagram account as part of regular social media moderating and the account 'raised significant concerns'. They said the university 'immediately took action to seek the removal of the account and its content' by reporting an infringement with Meta over the UoM's intellectual property rights, which are protected. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email In a matter of hours, the account was suspended. 'The safety and wellbeing of our university community is our highest priority, and we are committed to eliminating and preventing sexual harm in our community,' the UoM spokesperson said. 'We urge anyone affected by this matter to contact our safer community program.' The UoM didn't have evidence that the account was owned or administered by staff or students. One now-deleted post viewed by Guardian Australia, which appeared to be filmed on campus, described the 'best room to goon in on all of campus' and received more than 12,000 likes. Another post read: 'Less is more. It's what AI is for'. 'This is an essential quality we value at our club,' it continued. 'It gives us more time to goon.' The account also ran a petition to install a 'gooning room' on campus and used an edited UoM logo as its display picture, changing 'The University of Melbourne' to 'The University of Melbourne Gooners'. On Reddit, a user claiming to have created the club uploaded their suspension notice from Meta, which was related to a video uploaded on 21 May with the hashtags #unimelbgooning #universityclub #unimelb and #goon. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The Instagram warning the user posted said the account was suspended after a notice was received from a third party – the UoM's social media email – noting it infringed trademark rights. 'Unfortunately, the account was taken down today due to misuse of the University of Melbourne's name and logo, which violated their guidelines,' the user wrote. 'I really appreciate everyone who followed the page or showed interest in the club. 'We're now working on building a new version of the Gooning Club that's open to students from all universities across Melbourne.' The club was not affiliated with the University of Melbourne Student Union.
Arabian Business
2 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE grants music management licence as streaming market tipped to hit $2.3bn
The UAE Ministry of Economy granted its second collective music management licence to Music Nation during a ceremony held at its headquarters in Dubai. The licence authorises the organisation to manage the distribution of rights on behalf of music creators and performers, while also ensuring nationwide compliance among music platforms. It comes as the streaming market is tipped to hit $2.3bn by 2030 and musical artists and producers in the region look to monetise works. UAE music management The announcement was made during an event attended by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, and Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Under-Secretary for Intellectual Property. The Ministry confirmed that the licence was issued in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 concerning copyright and related rights. It marks the continuation of the Ministry's efforts to strengthen intellectual property frameworks in the UAE, following the first collective management licence awarded to the Emirates Music Rights Association in April 2025. Al Saleh said: 'Under the vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has placed strategic emphasis on enhancing the competitiveness of its cultural and creative industries, driving their growth both regionally and globally. 'Recognising their vital role in national economic growth, we are committed to fostering public-private collaboration to cultivate an enabling environment for talent and innovation. 'By elevating the creative economy's legislative framework to world-class standards, we aim to expand the private sector's participation in it, in line with the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2031.' The Under-Secretary said: 'The Ministry remains committed to establishing a world-class copyright governance system, drawing on international best practices. We are achieving this through strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, fostering investment in creative sectors, and implementing robust collective management systems. 'These measures safeguard intellectual property rights while building creators' trust in the nation's creative ecosystem.' 'The collective music management licence serves as a catalyst for cultural innovation while safeguarding artists' intellectual property rights. Through establishing transparent revenue distribution systems and fair compensation mechanisms, it elevates the UAE's music industry – enhancing its global competitiveness and positioning our nation as a premier hub for creative enterprises'. Al Saleh emphasised that awarding the licence to Music Nation marks a strategic milestone in the UAE's commitment to fostering creativity. The initiative unlocks new opportunities for artists, writers, and producers while strengthening rights protection and leveraging creative-economy tools – ultimately positioning the sector as a key driver of national economic growth. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini said: 'Our music industry is witnessing remarkable growth, fuelled by an expanding ecosystem of creative enterprises and world-class events. Dubai alone boasts 350 live music venues, while the national streaming market generated $841.9m in 2024 – projected to nearly triple to $2.3bn by 2030. 'To sustain this momentum, the Ministry of Economy is prioritising robust legislative frameworks that will further catalyse the creative economy and foster artistic innovation. 'Building on last month's inaugural licence granted to the Emirates Music Rights Association, today marks another significant milestone with the official authorisation of Music Nation. 'We are actively collaborating with local and global partners, including industry associations and legal experts, to share best practices that drive sector growth. 'In tandem, we're expanding awareness initiatives to ensure artists, composers, and producers fully leverage these licences to protect both their creative works and financial interests.' Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Music Nation, said: 'Today marks a pivotal moment for the UAE and Music Nation. After years of careful planning, Music Nation is positioned to become a cornerstone of music licensing, empowering the Emirates' vibrant creative industry. ''As an Emarati, I am honoured to establish a world-class music rights infrastructure that not only elevates local artists to greater heights, but also showcases our rich musical heritage and cultural traditions to the world. 'In partnership with industry leaders BMI and SoundExchange, our cutting-edge technology and services will protect music rights holders and propel the UAE's music economy to new frontiers'.
