Albania, where thoughts can be stolen

“We have noted a slow progress in the approximation with the EU legislation about the copyright issue and protection of industrial property. Albania needs to fulfill the SAA obligations”, declared the EU Ambassador in Tirana, Ettore Sequi.

Mr. Sequi was invited in a conference organized by the American Chamber of Commerce, which noted a series of problems on why Albania has stalled in this area.

“There’s a low number of cases that have been brought to justice; lack of experience and qualification of the judicial system and low awareness for the significance of the protection of these rights. There is also the need for a better coordination between the agencies that observe the current copyrights”, the Ambassador declared.

“The law fully approximates our legislation with that of the EU”, declared the Minister of Culture, Aldo Bumci.

The vice US Ambassador, from the pioneering country for the protection of intellectual property explains why this is an absolute priority.

“Many diplomats, my colleagues in different countries of the world, always ask why USA gives so much importance to the protection of intellectual property. The answer is simple. It is the protection of these rights what has encouraged technology and innovation, by improving the life of millions of people all over the wold”, declared the vice US ambassador, Deborah Jones.

Representatives of many international companies say that piracy keeps foreign investments away.

“When I visited Albania, someone asked me if Microsoft would open any production center in Albania. And my answer was that it couldn’t happen with this piracy. The labor cost here is low, and it is a wise decision to invest here, because one could save money with that cost, but as long that the intellectual property is not protected, it is difficult for someone to take the decision and invest here”, declared Evgemi Danilov, representative of the Microsoft Company.

Piracy in Albania can be found everywhere, and it is not limited only in the internet area, but in all media industry.

“Some of the concerning problems are the broadcasts of licensed and unlicenced cable TV operators. These operators have openly abused with the programs of ‘Digitalb’”, declared Sokol Nako, legal representative of Digitalb.

The protection of intellectual property is a key obligation for Albania to join EU.

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