Warsaw: In the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Honorary President of the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA), a significant bilateral cooperation agreement was signed between ERRA and the Polish Reprographic Rights Organisation (KOPIPOL). The agreement, focusing on the collective management of authors' rights for scientific and technical works, marks a step forward in strengthening intellectual property protection frameworks and advancing the publishing and creative industries.
According to Emirates News Agency, the signing took place during ERRA's participation in the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026, as part of Sharjah's Guest of Honour programme. This collaboration reflects Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's dedication to cultural and knowledge-based initiatives that enhance the publishing industry and promote international cooperation in reprographic rights protection and collective rights management. The agreement also underscores the United Arab Emirates' role as a leading model in the protection of intellectual property rights.
The agreement is in line with ERRA's commitment to forming strategic partnerships and fostering the sustainable growth of cultural and creative industries locally and internationally. It aims to boost the exchange of expertise and knowledge, develop joint working mechanisms in reprographic rights protection, and establish a sustainable creative environment that supports creators and safeguards their rights.
During the fair, ERRA highlighted the UAE's experience in reprographic rights management through the integrated Emirati cultural programme. The programme aimed at raising awareness and emphasizing the importance of copyright protection amid global transformations in the publishing and creative sectors.
ERRA also organised a panel discussion titled 'Collective Management Organisations and Their Role in Protecting Creativity - Between the UAE and Poland', in collaboration with KOPIPOL. The session featured experts and specialists in copyright and collective rights management, discussing the role of collective management organisations in regulating the use of creative works in educational and cultural institutions, and licensing mechanisms that protect authors' and creators' rights. Challenges posed by the digital age were also addressed, highlighting the need for international cooperation to develop intellectual property protection frameworks, exemplified by the Emirati-Polish model.
In this context, Mohamed bin Dakhin Al Matrooshi, President of the Emirates Reprographic Rights Association, emphasised the importance of the Warsaw International Book Fair as a strategic milestone for international dialogue on reprographic rights and collective rights management. He noted that ERRA is committed to fostering a culture of respect for reprographic rights and building a framework that supports the protection of creative works while enhancing international cooperation to develop innovative mechanisms, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable creative environment.