Sharjah and Poland Collaborate on Intellectual Property

In a move to bolster intellectual property protection and support creative industries, the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) and the Polish Reprographic Rights Organisation (KOPIPOL) formally established a bilateral cooperation agreement. The signing took place during ERRA's participation in the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026, where Sharjah was featured as the Guest of Honour. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Honorary President of ERRA, was present to witness this significant event.

This agreement underscores a commitment to fortifying intellectual property frameworks and fostering the growth of publishing and creative sectors. It also highlights the UAE's dedication to intellectual property rights protection on both a regional and global scale. The collaboration aligns with ERRA's strategic goal of forming international partnerships to promote sustainable development within cultural and creative industries.

Objectives of the Cooperation

The primary aim of this agreement is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two organizations. It seeks to develop collaborative mechanisms for managing and protecting reprographic rights, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable creative environment that supports creators and safeguards their entitlements.

Showcasing UAE's Expertise and Dialogue on Copyright

During the Warsaw International Book Fair, ERRA presented the UAE's advancements in reprographic rights management. The association emphasized the crucial importance of copyright adherence amidst the rapidly evolving global publishing landscape. A specialized panel discussion, titled “Collective Management Organisations and Their Role in Protecting Creativity – Between the UAE and Poland,” was co-organized by ERRA and KOPIPOL.

This session brought together leading experts to discuss the vital function of collective management organizations in regulating the use of creative works within educational and cultural institutions. Discussions also covered licensing models designed to protect the moral and economic rights of authors and creators. Furthermore, the panel addressed challenges presented by the digital age to reprographic rights systems and underscored the necessity of international collaboration for developing robust intellectual property protection frameworks, exemplified by the Emirati-Polish partnership.

Mohamed bin Dakhin Al Matrooshi, President of ERRA, commented on the significance of their presence at the fair, stating, “Our participation in the Warsaw International Book Fair represents an important strategic milestone in strengthening international dialogue on the future of reprographic rights and collective rights management, particularly in light of the rapid changes taking place across the cultural and creative industries worldwide.” He added that ERRA is committed to fostering respect for reprographic rights, building an integrated framework for protecting creative works, and collaborating with international institutions to develop innovative mechanisms for a more equitable and sustainable creative environment.

Source: Bodour Al Qasimi witnesses signing of cooperation agreement between Erra and Kopipol