The workshop introduced to attendees the role of SIPA, its objectives and current and future ambitions RIYADH: The Saudi Intellectual Property Authority (SIPA) held an introductory workshop about its role and current activities in collaboration with Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday. The workshop, held at the authority’s headquarters in Madinah, introduced to attendees the role of SIPA, its objectives and current and future ambitions. A number of Saudi businessmen as well as those interested in SIPA’s work attended the workshop. A member of the media and communications unit at SIPA, Abdul Rahman Al-Farhan, said the workshop comes within the framework of a series of events and meetings that the authority began organizing to promote awareness of the importance of intellectual property and the challenge surrounding it. A presentation at the workshop highlighted the historical background of Saudi Arabia in intellectual property, beginning from the date it joined the International Intellectual Property Organization in 1982, through the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. This was followed by the issuance of a number of related regulations such as the copyright system, patents and trademarks. A member of the founding team at SIPA, Abdul Rahman Al-Sareekh, presented the message and the goals the authority aims to achieve, including preparing the Kingdom"s IP strategy, developing related systems, and providing products and services efficiently and high quality.