SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi innovators disappointed by intellectual thefts

January 20, 2018

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH – Saudi inventors have called upon the authorities to create an atmosphere conducive for creativity and provide them with necessary support to develop their inventions.

“There are several obstacles that stand in our path, most importantly innovation thefts. Lack of financial support from the government is another major issue,” said an inventor, who is disappointed by the continued neglect.

The most surprising thing is that a patent ownership will not prevent intellectual property theft as the relevant agencies do not consider patents as a means of protection for ideas.

Saudi Arabia is ranked 55th in the world and sixth in West Asia in innovation, according to World International Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.

These figures have been published by WIPO in its annual indicator. WIPO said there are thousands of Saudi innovations in various fields and have received patents from the organization.

Mohammed Al-Harbi, a retired Saudi Navy officer and an expert in electronics and aviation, said he had invented a polar aviation circuit device, which is used in military and civilian aircraft.

“Most exhibitions and forums for inventors are conducted just for publicity as the authorities do not show any interest in inventors and their inventions,” he said.

Al-Harbi added: “I know an inventor who works for SABIC and owns more than 100 patents. Unfortunately, most people do not know anything about this person because he could not develop his ideas into commercially viable products.”

Al-Harbi said the agencies that are supposed to support inventors must market their inventions, provide them with necessary financial support and introduce them at forums of major companies.

“Saudi inventors must be given adequate support and encouragement in line with the objectives of Vision 2030,” said Ali Aseeri, another innovator.

“Frankly speaking these inventors are highly disappointed because of intellectual property thefts by both public and private agencies,” he said, adding that they also did not get any moral and material support.

“As a result, many inventors are not interested to develop their ideas or spend more time on new inventions,” Aseeri said.

He emphasized the need to end the monopoly by certain agencies. “We have to establish a center for inventions as quickly as possible to take care of new inventors.”

He said such a center would unify the efforts to promote inventions. “It can also establish a database of inventions made by Saudis and develop them into commercially viable products.”

King Abdul Aziz & His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), meanwhile, denied allegations by some inventors against it. “What they have said against Mawhiba is not correct. We have been extending support to most inventors,” said a source in the agency.

He said the foundation was using the financial resources provided by the state in terms of grants and assistance. It also depends on donations, gifts and endowments and revenues from certain activities. “We’ll allocate all these resources for the purposes they were meant,” said the source.

Inventor Abdullah Aseeri, a retired brigadier, said he had received a patent from King Abdul Aziz City of Science and Technology (KACST) for inventing a device to rationalize electricity consumption. He accused a Saudi company of stealing his invention and using it in its name.

“I asked the company to protect my intellectual property right but it did not acknowledge it as my invention saying the idea was present in an Asian country,” he said.

He said many inventors are afraid of presenting their ideas to Mawhiba and KACST as they do not protect the rights of inventors. “These organizations must be headed by inventors in order to value inventions, support inventors and safeguard intellectual property rights,” he added.


January 20, 2018
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