Economy News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Minister of Communications Hayam Al-Yasiri highlighted Iraq’s commitment to enacting legislation aimed at protecting intellectual property. During her address at the “Iraq Summit without Piracy” in Baghdad, she emphasized the ministry’s ongoing efforts to safeguard rights and tackle illegal content.
Al-Yasiri stated, “The ministry is focused on enhancing measures for intellectual property rights to combat piracy effectively.” She expressed concern about the rampant distribution of unauthorized content, likening it to theft of resources, creativity, and ideas from content creators, which she firmly opposes. She further noted, “The ministry is dedicated to improving the intellectual property protection environment in Iraq and implementing necessary initiatives.”
She conveyed her expectations for content creators and producers to respect intellectual property and publishing rights, asserting the importance of competitive pricing. This, she argued, would prevent citizens from opting for illegal channels or services for content access.
Moreover, Al-Yasiri underscored the necessity of establishing content criteria that align with religious, social, and legal norms while providing families with tools to assess suitable content for their members.
Addressing the broader implications, she remarked, “This challenge requires a concerted effort from government, international organizations, content producers, and telecom firms to effectively mitigate the issue.” She noted that even developed countries continue to grapple with piracy and illegal content.
The minister affirmed, “The ministry is resolute in its plans to enhance this environment and control illegal content, believing these goals can be achieved progressively.”
Al-Yasiri emphasized the importance of focusing on practical measures during the discussions at the Iraq Summit without Piracy. She advocated for close cooperation with international organizations to both bolster Iraq’s intellectual property rights protection and facilitate the creation of legal frameworks addressing piracy.
She elaborated on the government’s initiative to draft an intellectual property law, which is currently undergoing legislative processes. Once approved by the Council of Ministers, it will be forwarded to Parliament for ratification.
She further explained that the Ministry of Communications is prepared to enact legal measures in accordance with contracts established with service providers, emphasizing the need for action in response to any violations concerning content protection.
Al-Yasiri highlighted that fostering competition and offering reasonable prices will empower citizens to select service providers that deliver quality services with legitimate content. “Collective efforts and solidarity can expedite the realization of these objectives,” she remarked.
Alerting attendees to the initial steps necessary for progress, she urged for collaborative efforts following the conference, with proposals for establishing a joint working group comprised of relevant authorities both within and outside Iraq to implement the conference’s recommendations.
She reiterated, “The ministry supports any outcomes, decisions, and recommendations stemming from this conference, as they are vital to protecting intellectual property and enhancing Iraq’s reputation, significantly impacted by the consumption of illegal materials.”
For more updates, subscribe to our channel on Telegram
