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By Jonathan A Claypool1
The concepts of intellectual property law and specifically patent law are within the "zone of twilight" and represent some of the "contemporary imponderables" of traditional Islamic law.2 That is to say Shari'a law is silent on the topic, however there exists some evidence that the "moral concept" of intellectual property protection in primitive forms existed in Arabic Middle Eastern Culture before Islam.3 Commentators have established support in ancient Islamic traditions for trademarks and copyrights, but not for patent law.4 Nevertheless patent statutes exist and are being modified in Muslim majority or Islamic Countries which raises question of the acceptability and interaction of patent law with an emerging re-emphasis on traditional Islamic law.
Intellectual property can be separated into four main categories: patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets. Neither of the two main sources of Islamic Shari'a law the Quran or the tradition of the prophet, the Sunna, directly addresses the legal doctrines and basic tenets embodied in modern intellectual property law. However the strong focus on property law and the ways it can be acquired by "purchase, bequest, inheritance, mental or physical personal effort, blood-money (diya)…" can be extended to cover all forms of intellectual property, including patents.5 Trade secrets are also fixed in the law of "tort and contracts" with some connection to ancient roots in Islamic tradition, but fall outside of the scope of this analysis. Also copyright law will not be examined but exists and is rooted in the sanctity of contract under Islamic law.
One tenet of patent law is that the invention must be reduced to practice either through the building of a prototype, or through drawings and writings coupled to filing of a patent application (constructive reduction to practice) sufficient to teach one skilled in the art to practice and use that invention, before a patent can be granted.6 The reduction to practice doctrine anchors "inventions and patents" as intellectual property to tangible property and only then is a social exchange allowed-the limited exclusive right to exclude granted for the benefit that the disclosure ultimately gives to the public. Similarly, property law has a strong basis in Shari'a law and connects it to intellectual property law.
The focus of this paper will be to examine the patent laws of Egypt and Saudi Arabia and how these governments are meshing their patent statutes and legal doctrines with emerging international issues of globalization as well as for consistency with the resurgence of shari'a law and re-embrace with Islamic principles.
Since the Quran and Sunna (Hadith or tradition of the prophet Muhammad) do not speak directly to patent law it is generally believed that it falls into a category of permitted actions. Most all countries with Muslim majorities that can be described as Islamic have patent laws and provide for protection for inventions.7
Islamic Shari'a law views most conduct or acts as on of five general types: mandatory; recommended, permitted, recommended against, and banned. Sometimes though not officially banned by shari'a in practice; this is in fact the case. For example the drinking of alcohol is not banned by the Quran while eating some foods is, but the possession and drinking of alcohol is effectively forbidden in some Islamic countries.8 An essential concern for Shari'a is that patent law not fall afoul of the primary (i.e. Quran and Sunna) or secondary sources of law such as consensus (ijima)), or strict analogical reasoning (qiyas).9 It is reasoned that patent law need only be consistent with these sources since it is not extending traditional legal rules or moving them by analogy (qiyas) to new rules and so is somewhat free outside these contexts, as long as the patent system is generally compatible with the higher sources of law. The basic conclusion is that intellectual property law, and specifically patent law, is within the purview of the individual governments and is only subject to general notions of consistency with Islamic precepts and law.10 In this way there is some of the flexibility that has been invoked for modern commercial and contract law. However, in the case of fundamental property and contract principles there are significant roots in Shari'a law.11
Patent law in most Islamic countries has been borrowed form European law through the introduction of primarily the French civil code. In many cases this has been recently adapted to make it consistent with modern international demands for patent protection of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.12 These areas are of concern since modern biological research is raising controversial issues of patenting genes sequences, hybrid animals and plants (transgenic), and even higher organisms. In addition, patents are increasingly obtained on compounds via bioprospecting in countries without proper compensation. All of these issues raise moral, ethical, and legal questions that may tread into territory traditionally governed by Shari'a law.
U.S. Patent law is based on granting a property right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or offering to sell, or importing, for a limited time as a reward and incentive to disclose an invention for the public benefit.13 Otherwise, there would be greater incentives to keep knowledge and advances as secrets, inhibiting progress and overall benefits to society. A patent is a fundamental property right given in exchange for the disclosure of how to make and use the invention by one skilled in the art.14 Practically the entrepreneurial spirit and desire to commercialize inventions drive patent protection as much or more than any social contract or exchange of protection for disclosure. The invention must be novel, non-obvious, and useful and be generated by a creative or inventive step in order to be afforded legal protection.15
Islamic law and the Quran recognize the concept and separability of underlying components of private property. These rights are enforceable, being held sacred by religion and recognized by the state, but in a form of trusteeship in the name of Allah. Thus, a private property owners rights are superior to all but god-Allah.16 Further the concept of acquiring such rights by creative act or appropriation by making something that is not useful into something productive is recognized. These same principles underlay patent protection and can be argued for protection under Islamic law. They are certainly not contrary to strong private property protection (patents) for the creation of inventions under Shari'a law. In fact patents are often licensed either exclusively or non-exclusively in lieu of sale or assignment, for example in Egypt among sophisticated parties. Under Shari'a law the divisibility of title into full ownership and possessory interests has been recognized and has a long tradition.17 This issue has not been a problem regarding patent licenses in Islamic countries that view such separation of rights as standard and consistent with Islamic practices.18
An Islamic jurist has argued that ideas are divisible from physical property, giving the example that a thief stealing a book is not subject to the punishment of amputation for stealing the book as paper, but is given a lesser penalty since he is only taking the ideas or the words within. In contrast theft of an account book would deserve a severe punishment due to theft of the value of the information (i.e. intangible intellectual property within). There does not seem to be any additional authority contrary to this limited example, and the assumption that intellectual property is valid in Islamic law remains intact. 19 Thus the basic underlying principle of patent protection, intangible intellectual property, is nominally recognized within Islamic law, while there is also strong recognition of property rights in general.
Concepts of contract law are embedded in Shari'a law with several Quranic verses addressing the sacred nature of contract. These focus on ones duty to fulfill agreements, including treaty agreements by governments.20 Such recognition is important today since there is a strong push for patent and intellectual property harmonization in the world. The fundamental respect for treaty rights and contract principles make Islamic countries' governments mindful of agreements they sign, primarily since it is part of Shari'a law tenets. Respect for the patent laws of other nations in the form of treaty obligations is thus honored.21 This also facilitates regard for patents owned by foreign citizens within an Islamic country and affords some governmental support to protect such rights. Patent licenses often involve technology transfers and many such transactions involve governments to a degree, especially for pharmaceuticals, thus this is a topical issue.
Two additional concepts from Islamic law apply to modern patent law principles. One is indefiniteness (Gharar) and the other is the public good (Maslaha). The idea that a contract must be anchored in perfect knowledge of what was being exchanged grew from Sunna against uncertainty and unconscionable practices. This was first directed to gambling and grew from a general religious idea into a practical rule applicable to commercial law. Modern Gharar doctrine embodies that there must be knowledge of the value; also knowledge of the characteristics of the subject matter; and effective control by the parties over the agreed subject matter.22 Trade secret and copyright transactions are sometimes complicated by the principles of Gharar since information is sometimes held back until contracts are signed, which presents problems of indefiniteness. Patent licensing could potentially run into problems of Gharar since it can be difficult to value the technology in patents and also to know the true claim scope (limits and bounds of the invention) absent claim construction via litigation, thus there is potentially indefiniteness present. However, these likely problems may be overcome by practical considerations given the flexibility afforded Islamic commercial law and the desire of participants to state they know the relevant variables.23
The symbolic closing of the gates of "Ijtihad" that occurred sometime around the 15th century is stated to have ended independent reasoning of Islamic law, though this is debatable even today. Thus, Islamic law is proposed to be incompatible with modern developments such as intellectual property and patent law.24 Others point to modern Middle Eastern culture that they say rejects Western commercialism and past dominance and so consistently refuses to protect intellectual property and patent rights.25 Both of these arguments ignore the potential within Islamic culture to adapt. The first patent statute is reported to be from legislation in 1474, by the Venetian Republic, which is well within the ambit of dominant Islamic culture of the time.26 Accordingly, the notion that invention and patents are new is historically skewed.
Many Western people have rejected patents and U.S. history is also dotted with lax enforcement and general denial of rights. A notable example is Eli Whitney who patented the cotton-gin. In protracted attempts to enforce the patent he was denied by U.S. courts from 1794 until 1807, despite having an ostensibly valid patent. Eli Whitney filed at least sixty patent infringement suits in Georgia alone, but was unsuccessful in all of these law suits. During this time people freely copied his invention.27 Another famous quote is from the esteemed Mr. Justice Jackson of the U.S. Supreme court, who stated in frustration, dissenting: "the only patent that is valid is the one this court has not been able to get its hands on."28 Thus mere lack of enforcement does not prohibit the embrace of innovation and patents.
Public policy (Maslaha) is enmeshed as a unit in Islamic life and governs all matters (i.e. spiritual, ethical, and moral) including all commercial and secular matters.29 A Quranic principle is that a major goal of the public is to advance good and hinder evil and also to care for the unfortunate.30 Some schools of Islamic law such as the Maliki even allow ignoring or re-interpreting Quranic verses if they run too counter to the public good. The Hanafi legal school allows for versus based in custom to evolve as the custom among the people evolves. Thus, even though the Quran is primary law from Allah, the concept of public policy allows for some adaptation if sufficiently in the public's interest. Some commentators state that the Islamic religion is so thoroughly part of Middle Eastern identity and society that secular Westerners have difficulty understanding the inherently personal, or as a whole, system of morality.31
Similar concepts of morality limit application of patent law in cases of national security and morality in the U.S (also for Japan and European countries).32 There have been examples of imputing morality or the public good into the U.S. patent law. For example patentability of certain special nuclear material or atomic energy is prohibited.33 Also medical practitioners are exempt form infringement for practicing medical activity.34 These are grounded in policy as being for the public good.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia have each addressed unique features of modern patent law via recent amendments in their patent statutes and also accommodate interaction with Shari'a law. These are examined with special focus on issues unique to each country with some relevant comparisons to United States, European, or Japanese patent law with some emphasis on pharmaceutical and biological examples where the modern demands impact their law. Despite being quite different as Islamic Countries in history, religious tolerance or strictness, population, as well as wealth and development, each accommodates patent law in compliance with their Shari'a law.
A. Egypt has Amended their Constitution to Refer to Shari'a Law as the Source of all Law
Egypt has amended its constitution to refer to Shari'a as the source of all law (from previously "a source of law").35 Historically, Egypt has shown deference to foreign powers most notably before and during the colonial era. The treaty Montreux and the mixed system of the Capitulations are noteworthy, for they paved the entrance of European power into the Middle East. These represent negotiations and a settlement between Ottoman Sultans and Western European countries that was non-reciprocal. It showed a willing, or perhaps necessary deference, due to power structures of the time and to aggressive European interests, by granting a separate legal system for disputes as well as considerable immunities.36 Since Europeans were not Islamic this was justified that they be judged outside of Shari'a law.
Egypt has always been in the vanguard of Islamic reform movements. It adopted Western law and later codified the Hanafi law of family and inheritance, encountering some resistance from traditionalists. The Egyptian government has given the impression that there is no interference with the essential content of codified law and the law of the Shari'a.37 This course continues today. The path of the nation and application of Shari'a principles is likely an ongoing balancing test with pushes for modern secular development together with layering of Islamic principles. Some of the reverence to both secular and Shari'a traditions can still be seen via recognition of foreign patents and intellectual property treaty obligations. Egypt is a signatory of many intellectual property and trade oriented treaties and provides expedited international patent filing via the Patent Cooperation Treaty and recognition via the Paris accords.38 This stance can be argued to both coexist with shari'a law and to be a plan to move the country into economic prosperity and modernity.
B. Egypt's Patent Statute Has Been Amended to Promote Development
The Egyptian patent law is well developed, gives respect to treaty obligations, foreign patents, and ownership of Egyptian patents. The Egyptian patent statute was modified in 2002 increasing significantly the rights of inventors, along with other changes that benefit holders of other types of intellectual property protection (e.g. artists, performers, software designers).39 This law sent a message to the world that Egypt was serious regarding patent protection and also stymied attempts by United States interests to put Egypt on a watch list for trade sanctions.40 Egypt had developed a reputation for being weak on patent and other intellectual property protection. The statute mandates that all inventions not be "counter to public morality or disorder" but there are no identifiable cases addressing this issue reported in the sources examined.
Generally, Egyptian patent law now meets international standards with a 20 year term from the date of filing (e.g. novelty: cannot be know or used publicly; non-obviousness/ inventive step principles, written description requirements) and switched from a positive right, to a right to exclude, more in line with the United States and Europe.41 However, the Egyptian patent office is in need of automation and like many patent offices requires additional funding and personnel to cope with increasing demands.42 Previously Egyptian law granted an affirmative right that was more similar to Japan's patent statute, but now is in the minority world wide.43 There is no similar right in United States or European law, except for some special market exclusivity provisions and patent term extensions for new drugs.44 The addition of an "exhaustion" addendum to the right to exclude in Article 10, complicates patentee's rights, since it allows third parties to import patented products if they have been marked elsewhere thereby creating incentives for gray marketers to import and compete with the patent holder. Ultimately this leads to pricing issues, imports from countries without strong patent protection, and compulsory licensing issues (developed in more depth below).45
C. Egypt's Amended Patent Statute Allows Patenting of Pharmaceuticals
The subject matter allowed by the patent statute is broad and has expressly added products, which strengthens protection for pharmaceutical products enormously. Previously, only the method or process was patentable, which is much easier to invent around. The current statute reads:
Article 1: (Subject Matter suitable for Patent)
"Patents of invention shall be granted pursuant to the provisions of the law herein for each invention, which is industrially applicable, novel and involves an inventive step, either concerning new industrial products, innovated industrial methods, or new application of known industrial methods."
Article 2 (Negative Definitions on patentable subject matter)
Patent of invention shall not be granted for the following:
1- Inventions, whose exploitation, may result in prejudice to national security, breach of public order or morality or seriously damage the environment or the life or health of human, animal or plant.
2- Scientific theories and discoveries, mathematical methods, programs and layouts.
3- Diagnosis, therapeutic and surgical methods for man or animal.
4- Plants and animals, whatever the level of rareness or strangeness thereof; and biological processes for the production of plants or animals; with the exception of micro-organisms and the non - biological and microbiological processes for the production of plant or animal.
5- Living organisms, tissues, cells, natural biological materials.
There are also restrictions on medical therapies, plants, animals, cells and tissues, with the notable exception of microorganisms and associated processes. This is in contrast to a broader view of patentable subject matter in the United States "where anything under the sun made by man" is patentable, with the exception of humans.46 Thus, in the United States numerous higher organisms have been patented including the famous "Harvard Mouse" (with a propensity to develop cancer making it a valuable research tool) to polyploidy pacific oysters (sterile and edible year around).47 Most other countries including European nations fall in between, but usually the line is drawn somewhere at higher organisms near humans. The United States position has also been subject to challenge on morality grounds, but the U.S. patent office has refused patents on human animal chimeras avoiding clear attempts to provoke outrage.48 The European Union has shifted course from a prohibition and now allows patents on transgenic organisms (i.e. reinterpreting Article 53b of the European Patent Convention).49
D. Ownership and Licensing of Patent Rights in Egypt
Patents can be owned by many including most foreigners in Egypt.50 Egypt is a first to file country and patent rights are generally granted to the first person to file a patent application. Most nations have adopted this format, with the United States even contemplating switching from a first to invent system to a first true inventor to file system.51 One caveat unique to Egypt is that if someone was independently practicing the invention before others files for a patent Islamic Shari'a principles allow him to continue but he has no right to transfer these rights. The Egyptian patent statute does not address fraudulently obtained inventions, but one could surmise actions such as stealing or falsely claiming an invention would lead under Shari'a law to a result favoring the true owner.52
The ownership of a patent in Egypt often depends on ones employment status as well as the number of inventors. If there are two or more inventors, they will own equal shares.53 An invention made by an employee in the scope of their work or during working time is owned by the employer. In the United States there is usually a contractual obligation to assign the patent to ones employer, but only the inventor can apply for the patent, and the chain of title is defective absent an assignment.54 However, in Egypt usually an inventor gets recognition as the inventor and suitable compensation awards. If the employee makes an invention on his own time the employer still has a right to purchase the rights at an equitable amount for three months, or for one year after the person leaves employment. This section is similar to the previous Egyptian patent statute.55
There are some conditions where the owner of an Egyptian patent may be forced to license a patent (i.e. grant a compulsory license).56 The Egyptian patent statute Article 23 takes a broad interpretation of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, (TRIPS) Article 31 (See below for TRIPS discussion related to pharmaceuticals).57 For example, the Egyptian government can mandate compulsory licensing for public utility and national defense as well as when the patent holder is unable to work the invention on a scale sufficient to satisfy the national needs.58 Presumably this fits with the Islamic principle of being for the public interest and the government compelling using inventions for the public good fits with this notion.59 Compulsory licensing also is allowed when the patent is not "worked" for three years, meaning no commercial form or process is produced.
Other situations that can force compulsory licensing are when the patented invention is interrupted for some reason, or when the patent holder is demanding excessive licensing fees. Additionally, compulsory licensing may be invoked when one invention crosses into technology controlled by another and the first must use this technology to practice their invention. In the United States in contrast only the federal government can mandate compulsory licensing when federal money has been used to develop the invention, but the United States Government rarely exercises these "march in rights."60 Sometimes the United States federal government mandates compulsory licensing in cases of mergers and acquisitions for antitrust concerns, where compulsory licensing is conditioned for the merger's approval.61
E. Egypt's International Patent Obligations
Egypt is a signatory of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property ("TRIPS") that lies at the center of a debate between developing and Western (developed) countries. Before TRIPS, Egypt could legally make generic copies of internationally patented drugs and thus provide significantly lower-cost medicines to their citizenry. For example, near the time of the passage of the Egyptian patent statute (Law 82, 2002) the Ministry of Health approved 12 local Egyptian pharmaceutical companies to manufacture Viagra®, just two months after Pfizer had granted exclusive rights to their subsidiary Egypt-Pfizer.62 Perhaps the demand for Viagra outpaced the subsidiaries ability to produce it, or was in the overriding national public interest and thus necessary under both political expediency and Shari'a law.
Adherence to protections in the TRIPS treaty removes this avenue, although this is not yet a completely successful process. One reason is that people are accustomed to and expect the availability of low-cost generic drugs and favor them, even if they are made illegally. Eliminating such behavior would require diligent enforcement and policing. It is worth noting that similar struggles between increased generic drug availability and patent protection for drugs by the pharmaceutical industry are also routinely fiercely contested in the United States, Japan, and European countries.63 In most cases however, the pharmaceutical industry has been able to use trade, market, and legal protection coupled with the desire to build and protect one's "native" pharmaceutical industry to outpace regulation and interlopers.64
Much of the current debate concerning pharmaceutical drugs centers on strong integrated intellectual property protection with other legal regimes in member countries and whether strong patents facilitates development or quashes it in developing nations. One area where Egypt is involved is in the pharmaceutical sphere regarding patent protection and trade. Only a few countries have significant non-generic pharmaceutical industries and these have a role in forming national and international priorities regarding pharmaceutical patent rights and enforcement.65 Egypt has a fledgling, but robust pharmaceutical industry and is seeking to expand this industry beyond generic "knock-off" manufacturing. Growth of the native pharmaceutical industry was a primary factor in passing the 2002 Egyptian patent statute, both from desire within Egypt and in response to international pressures.66
Advocates of strong pharmaceutical patent rights emphasize global benefits, such as increased innovation and knowledge via disclosure to local research and development, and increased technology transfer opportunities, not just for large pharmaceutical companies, but for indigenous partner companies as well. Advocates also note lax protection in certain developing countries leads to a de-emphasis on diseases endemic to those locales.67 Counter arguments focus on what "really happens" notably claims that there are negligible positives for local research and development and mostly increased drug prices from patented compounds.68 Issues of technology transfer are argued to be distant and often unrealized and also that market and competitive abuses are common.69
Political factors and the desire to gain foreign investment in the Egyptian pharmaceutical industry also pushed the passage of the 2002 Egyptian patent statute. The increases in patent applications from 1995 to 2000 was due in part to a better and revived economic picture coupled with potential foreign pharmaceutical investment and competition from Jordan (who also had passed stronger patent laws), pushed the legislation through. The law continues to be controversial in Egypt and also has faced significant resistance from generic drug manufacturers.70
The goal of the Egyptian government is to increase privatization efforts and to build a globally competitive pharmaceutical industry based upon the existing industry which primarily manufacturers generic drugs from imported active ingredients with little original research and development (less than two percent of revenues goes to R&D).71 There are also other factors that are necessary to give effect to the stronger patent law, such as the reduction of regulatory hurdles, educational reform to increase trained scientists, and improved industrial practices. However, passage of several revised commercial laws has given promise to accomplishing the goal of industrial growth.72 The new commercial laws had the cumulative effect of providing incentives and removing barriers to foreign investment in Egypt. The incentives led to direct investment from Siemens, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, to build a pharmaceutical plant in Egypt in 2003, providing jobs, technology transfer opportunities, and much needed advanced training of personnel. However, at the same time Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, declined to build a new pharmaceutical and health care manufacturing plant in Egypt based on an incomplete implementation and enforcement of the new Egyptian patent statute.73 The progress Egypt makes in fostering a robust environment favorable to economic growth, foreign investment, and general governmental reform will determine if the amended patent statute is ultimately successful.
Egyptian patent law developments show that the nation is moving toward modernity, but in one arena the process is facing many of the inherent conflicts faced by Western countries, namely the cost and availability of patented pharmaceutical drugs. Passage of the strengthened patent law is a step that honors treaty commitments in TRIPS and the WTO, which is consistent with Shari'a precepts, but the other theme of the public good is more problematic. Many advance the hypothesis that patent protection is essential to innovation in the form of new chemical entities, or drugs. However, this comes with higher prices evidenced by prices in the United States where costs exceed most nations, and definitely those where some cost controls are in place such as Canada.74 Whether strong patent protection is in the interest of the public good is debatable and is possibly in conflict with Islamic law principles. The advanced economic development and therapies perhaps balances against the necessarily higher costs and thus both arguably fall in step with Shari'a law.
A. Saudi Arabia is Open to Patent Law
Apostasy, conversion to another religion, is punishable by death, in the strict Wahhabist kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Luckily, patent law does not generate such passion in Saudi Arabia, or anywhere for that matter, primarily since it lies in the silent region of permissible acts subject to governmental regulation outside but still subject to the Saudi Arabian Shari'a law. Pragmatism mandates that although religion is sacred, business and commerce moves a country forward, and sometimes such topics are best separated out from such core areas, especially when the Quran and Sunna are silent. The practical view for patent law, like commercial law, will fit with the realistic approach to the regulation of inventions. More radical Islamists may call for a blanket rejection of innovation and advances of the modern world based upon a perceived deviation from Shari'a law, but this view is unlikely in the strictly conservative Saudi Arabia. However, some commentators believe clarification of a new Shari'a code is in order for modern economics.75
B. Saudi Arabia Amended Patent Statute to Comply With International Norms
Similar to Egypt, Saudi Arabia has recently reformed its patent statute to comply with international treaties. One stated goal of the Saudi Arabia's new law is for "encouraging the inventiveness of the Saudi Arabian nationals" together with implementation of the patent law. Primary is the change granting protection to pharmaceuticals, where previously this was not possible. The addition of protection for pharmaceuticals was a response to United States and European pressure for strong protection based on Saudi WTO treaty obligations. Saudi Arabian compliance in amending their patent statute shows some of the flexibility afforded this area of non-shari'a law.76
C. Saudi Arabia is Developing a Modern Patent Regime
The Saudi Arabian patent system is in its infancy, but is making leaps forward into the modern era. Changes to the Saudi patent law were modeled on U.S. law, but are not duplicates of it, and include, an extension of the term of protection from 15 years to 20 years, as well as the extension of protection to pharmaceutical products, including product and process protection.77
Absolute universal novelty is stipulated by the new Saudi Arabian patent law. This differs from the U.S. law, which allows for a one-year grace period, but mirrors most other nations.78 Under the Saudi Arabian statute, an invention is novel only if it is not anticipated by the prior art (i.e. the invention is not known). Absolute novelty covers anything disclosed to the public anywhere and at any time, by means of a written or oral disclosure, by use, or in any other way, before the relevant filing date or priority date. Europe, Asia, and the United States have some exceptions to absolute novelty in grace periods from six-months to one-year, with doctrines of experimental use that give some limited leeway.79
D. The First Saudi Arabian Patent
The first Saudi patent applications were filed in 1989 with the "General Directorate of Patents." The first patent issued on June 18, 1990 at the King Abudulaziz City for Science and Technology ("KACST").80 Since then fewer than 200 patents have issued on various inventions ranging from chemical compounds, biotechnology inventions, to mechanical inventions, among others.81 Despite the nascent scope, Saudi Arabian patent law is moving toward international acceptance and standards. However, the "General Directorate of Patents" has encountered difficulty in undertaking the examination of applications, leading to significant delays. This is partially due to the gearing up process and is partially due to the requirement that the country to complete substantive examinations within the directorate. Despite these reforms, in the eyes of the United States and the international community, Saudi Arabian enforcement efforts have been weak for most intellectual property. In fact, Saudi Arabia remains on a special watch list, having moved from the WTO program's priority watch list in 1996 in recognition of progress made in intellectual property protection.82
E. Saudi Arabian Patents Must Comport with Shari'a Law
Saudi Arabia has specifically mandated that patents granted must meet with the requirements of Shari'a law. This requirement is outlined in Article four of the patent statute. Additionally, there exists protection for the exploitation of life (e.g. human, plant, or the environment). Article Four requires:
(a) The protection document shall not be granted if its commercial exploitation violates the Shari'ah.
(b) The protection document shall not be granted if its commercial exploitation is harmful to life, to human, animal or plant health, or is substantially harmful to the environment.
The interpretation of Article four requirements is open to speculation, since they are newly enacted and no reference to violations is readily available. However, practical considerations will limit violations to direct challenges to Shari'a law sensibilities thereby giving patent law the flexibility afforded financial and commercial law in Saudi Arabia. Violations of Article (4) (b) are likely to be similar to limits on higher life forms that are in place for humans or animal-human transgenics in the United States and Europe.
In addition, Saudi Arabia has provisions for compulsory licensing contained in Article 24.83 The requirement that a party seek a standard license via contract must be followed, but if this fails there can be a non-exclusive license to allow the invention to reach the market. This can be reasoned to be a provision for maintaining the public interest and is consistent with shari'a law. A compulsory license can also be granted if the technology is economically significant or requires use of another patent. Generally, the compulsory licensing provisions are broader in scope than what TRIPS allows. However, until invoked and unless challenged these provisions may not lead to significant difficulties.
F. Saudi Arabian's Seek to Patent Useful Islamic Devices
Saudi Arabia though a strict Islamic country is making progress in enforcing patent rights. The future will tell if this enforcement will spur development, progress, and social reform within the Kingdom. Integration and the growth of technology may be aided if development comes from within the nation. A brief survey of patents applied by Saudi Arabia citizens in foreign countries reveals that many are for aiding one in observing Islamic worship including: Islamic financial screening, special clocks for prayer timing and directions to Mecca, and Islamic Mobile services that offers prayer times. Thus these inventions show that, at least superficially, Muslims are seeking to patent useful devices involved in worship and Islamic life.84 The patenting of useful devices used in Islamic worship may argue for the practical acceptance of patent law with the approval of Shari'a law and adaptation to technological innovation.
The concepts and tenets of intellectual property law and specifically patent law are not at odds with the basic beliefs of Islamic culture or Shari'a law. Egypt is an example of a fairly secular nation with strong undercurrents of traditional Islamic culture and an established patent law. Egypt is moving their patent law to the "world norm" for enforcement with the goal of invigorating their economy together with other reforms. Saudi Arabia is following a similar path, but from a more basic and modest position, and is much more conservative.
Both nations are treating the patent law as permitted according to basic Shari'a doctrines and neither seems to be rejecting this path. One commentator maintains that cultural divides make acceptance and enforcement of intellectual property distant prospects.85 Another commentator has even put forth the notion of Islam itself as a form of intellectual property. This is based on the notion of Islam is protected knowledge and thus stronger than a mere idea and in fact is a form of knowledge based asset-or intellectual property.86 Muslims act as trustees, not owners of the protected knowledge that is Islam. If patent law truly comports with Shari'a law tenets the innovation and economic progress may actually enable freedom to practice Islam as many wish and desire.
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Non-Profit Spotlight: MESA
As you know, our business members are frequently featured on our blog, and our non-profit partners do not get much attention. To change this, we are going to start a new series of blog posts where we feature stories about our non-profit partners! So if you want us to feature a story about your non-profit here, please email it to Pauline at firstname.lastname@example.com. Our first post (and pictures) were sent to us by our friends at MESA, who have received a number of donations from 1% FTP members… Enjoy!
Meet Ana.
Ana owns a grocery store in her home community of Mala, Peru – but her contribution to Mala goes much farther than her store.
In 2008, Ana became a Steward with Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA), a 1% non-profit partner dedicated to advancing the next generation of farmers through sustainable agriculture training and cultural exchange. As a MESA Steward, Ana trained with Terry's Berries Farm in Washington state to learn more about organic food production and distribution. She returned to the U.S. in 2011 to complete MESA's Next Level Program and spent the year learning about organic food marketing and store management with the Natural Grocery Company in El Cerrito and Berkeley, California.
Armed with these two experiences, Ana returned to her home community not only more informed and prepared to expand her business, but inspired to create positive change for her fellow farmers in Mala. During her time as a MESA Steward, she experienced working environments in which men and women can work side by side as equals and are given the same opportunities for advancement – not something she knew to be true in her home community. As many MESA Stewards choose to do, Ana decided to develop a Home Country Project – an initiative designed by the Steward and funded with the help of MESA and individual donors. Ana's objective is to establish a women farmers association – Mujeres Unidas por Agricultura – to serve Mala and surrounding communities and improve organic production and local distribution. Check out her video about this project here.
Stories like Ana's make up the roots of the sustainably-grown planet that MESA is working to realize. As an organization dedicated to global change, MESA is a proud part of the 1% for the Planet community. Learn more about MESA on their website!

subset: commoncrawl


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About WWOZ
history, staff, contact us ..»
NOLA MIX is a youth based DJ & Music Production program in New Orleans. Come check out our new space that will serve as a hub for music education, arts programming, events and more...
DJ's will be spinning and light food will be served. Come find out about our upcoming programming and meet like minded folks.


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Every chapter of the Bible in 140 characters or less.
I summarised the Bible on Twitter between Aug 2010 and Nov 2013 - one tweet per chapter, one chapter per day.
The @biblesummary account peaked at over 30,000 followers, and was featured in the news all over the world.
Find out about the project here, or feel free to get in contact.
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Job said, "Curse the day I was born! Why did I not die at birth? Why is light given to him who suffers? I have no rest, only turmoil."
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Doctors' groups start Medicare petition
The Tennessee Medical Association is one several doctors' groups across the nation asking people to sign a petition urging Congress stop delaying a fix for the Medicare and Tricare reimbursement formula.
This year, Congress has repeatedly put off what to do about a 21 percent physician payment cut by delaying it from taking effect month-by-month. Currently, the cuts are scheduled to take effect June 1.
The cuts are required by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which sets a sustainable growth-rate (SGR) formula for setting physician reimbursements. Doctors and health care experts have long complained the SGR formula is flawed.
To see the wording on the petition, visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/meltdown/


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22nd on Main Restaurant and Grill is a vibey restaurant and grill situated in the Palmgate Shopping Centre. Enjoy some of the finest steaks, perfectly prepared to your taste, in a vibrant setting. The restaurant has various other dishes on the menu and caters for all tastes. A great wine list is available.
This authentic Ethiopian restaurant serves traditional cuisine that bursts with flavour. Enjoy a large injera with pea stew, potato, spinach, cabbage and more. This dish can be enjoyed vegetarian, or with meat, cooked or uncooked. Other dishes include chicken stew (doro wot), mildly spicy prime rib (key wot), mahiberawi and more. There are many traditional Ethiopian drinks on the menu like black beer and traditional home-made honey beer, but a good wine list is also available.
Warm hospitality, awesome food, spectacular views, great service! What more does one want?
Alchemy Waschbank River Restaurant is the most spectacular spot on the breathtaking banks of the Orange River. One is instantly captivated by the sweet angelic melody of the ever-flowing waters.
We pride ourselves on offering scrumptious, traditional and mouth-watering food without hurting one's wallet. Currently the restaurant can accommodate 35 guests inside and 35 guests outside on the deck, but we also do cater for larger groups or functions.
We invite you to come and unwind at the most enchanted spot the Orange River has to offer - our delightful little deck. Here sunsets become a serene and magical experience.
Mouth-watering Karoo cuisine driven by the acclaimed Chef Cris Greff - there is simply not a more compelling spot for dining!
This relaxed restaurant serves well cooked food in well cooked portions at well matched prices. Here you are likely to meet the locals and to be welcomed into the community with a cold one and a smile. The menu is varied and caters for all tastes. Unpretentious but hearty food flies out the kitchen and a well stocked cellar complements the experience.
This culinary journey onboard Allen Gardiner Harbour Cruise Restaurant offers a different and exciting fine dining experience.
Sailing all year round from the scenic and tranquil waters of Ipswich Wet Dock at Ipswich Waterfront, diners experience a spacious and elegant dining saloon, flanked by scenic ocean vistas and marine wildlife.
Serving freshly prepared fine foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner and champagne sunset; the menu extends varied choices and dining styles, some with a South African influence.
The a la carte lunch and candlelit dinner cruises from 12noon to 3.00pm. The Dinner cruise is from 7pm to 10pm. The fork lunch and dinner is a three hour cruise, during which a two course meal is served, with choices from the a la carte menu suitable for eating with just a fork.
Finally the champagne sunset welcomes aboard with a glass of champagne, and a fully-stocked bar. Throughout the course of the cruise the galley crew serve trays of hot and cold canapés.
The Allen Gardiner River Cruise Restaurant offers diners the chance to explore the scenic surrounds of the River Orwell while tantalising the taste buds with decadent fare.
Delicious oxtail, homemade pancakes and freshly baked goods are the order of the day. On Sundays they offer two-course meals with three veggies, two to three meat choices, roast potatoes and rice, and of course, gravy. Try the generous, filling 180 g burgers or the deliciously decadent berry whips. There is ample place for active kids to play and run. Parking is provided right outside our restaurant.
Beestekraal Stasie is a quirky, quaint Old World-style restaurant where everything (except the fish), is made from local produce. A laid-back vibe and tranquil surroundings juxtaposes the rich history the area and the building has to offer. Comfort food that satisfies can be enjoyed here, and the freshness and flavours are sure to make up for the frill-less presentation.
Bi-Lo Bistro is open from 7 am until 10 om and offers delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Good, wholesome meals are served and authentic flavours are created using seasonal produce. There are two indoor dining areas, as well as an outside area for alfresco dining. Meals include pasta, steaks, seafood and much more and great desserts and wines are also available.
Bilton Restaurant offers a unique family friendly setting in tranquil surrounds. Whether it is a sauntering wine paired lunch or a family outing with the kids, Bilton can accommodate.
The restaurant focuses on traditional, hearty South African cuisine and serves dishes like bobotie (a favourite among locals and any tourist who's ever tried it), mouthwatering chicken pie (made the way mama made it), and even a gourmet-style burger. The menu also caters for the little ones, and so does the jungle gym and large, rolling lawns.
The fireplace and large balcony areas ensure that you can enjoy your glass of wine, come rain or shine.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9 am until 5 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am until 4 pm.
Relax in the cafe, where the works of local artists enhance the delightful ambience, or on the veranda. There is also a beautiful wisteria pergola in the garden.
Choose from our selection of coffees, cappuccinos, teas, wines, beers and other drinks from our tavern and indulge yourself with our scrumptious sweet and savoury treats.
We also offers a selection of meals and snacks, frozen or hot, to take away. Children are always welcome and will love to play in the spacious garden.
The café is open from 09.45 on Fridays, weekends and public holidays. It is also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays during school holidays.
Meat meat and meat is what Butcher Block is all about. Only triple A cut beef is served and perfectly prepared to diners tastes. Fish, chicken and vegetarian options are also offered. Starters like the three-sauce calamari and the potato skins with bacon, peppers, cheddar, mushrooms and onions are indulgences that are must-tries.
The popular meet and greet spot in the heart of trendy de Waterkant has been lovingly restored by the Madame Zingara stable and is now an industrially chic hub for lazy lunches, cheeky cocktails and late night rendezvous.
A splash of the Wild West and a hint of mischief make this firm favorite a welcoming venue for locals and tourists alike, and the Southern-style menu with hearty burgers (including Zingara's signature chocolate-chili version), delicious snacks and completely decadent pie-shakes will satisfy any appetite.
Mingle with great company, saddle up and take a ride! Anything can happen at Café Manhattan.
Trading Hours:
Kitchen | Monday – Sunday 12:00-23:00
Bar | Closes at 00:00
This restaurant serves up traditional cuisine and offers breathtaking mountain views. Guests can eat in- or outdoors on the balcony. The restaurant offers a large and provocative range of dishes as well as a high standard of service. Enjoy an English-style buffet breakfasts, traditional dinner buffets or any dish off the a la carte menu. Traditional Sunday lunches are also served buffet style and the flavours and tastes true to home can be enjoyed here.
Castella Amare, our Castle by the Sea welcomes you, offering South African cuisine with a Portuguese flair. With beautiful ocean views, you can relax and feel at home in a building that was once our home.
Castella Amare, the original name of the beach house owned by José de Nobrega and purchased by his son and namesake, was restored and converted into a seaside restaurant in early 2010. In October 2013, business partners and long-time friends, Lino da Silva and Laurie Meiring re-launched the restaurant name and concept under the name of the original beach home.
We hope you relax and enjoy the company with Lino as your host, and chef Laurie prepares a meal of your choice.
Our kitchen is open from 10am - 8pm, and due to the nature of our business license all guests have to depart by no later than 9pm.
Cattle Baron is a true South African institution and does not fail to deliver on quality, quantity and affordability.
This steak ranch serves up traditional favourites with the emphasis on steak, steak and steak. The menu offers a wide variety of meats, served with rice, baked potato or chips and the famous complimentary creamed spinach and sweet butternut. A must-try is the melt-in-your-mouth Chateaubriand - thinly sliced fillet flambed at your table served with sauce bèarnaise. For the really ravenous diner, there is the 600 g Fat Tuesday rump or sirloin and the famous Carpet Bag filled with hickory smoked mussels and cheese.
Vegetarian pastas and a vegetarian platter are also available to non meat eating guests, and on top of this, Cattle Baron offers a really cool kids menu filled with great dishes and awesome dessert options.
This restaurant will stay a family favourite for a long time to come.


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Irrigation and planting density affect river red gum growth
California Agriculture 58(1):40-43.
DOI: 10.3733/ca.v058n01p40.
In a 6-year study, nitrogen fertilizer had no impact while water and spacing significantly influenced growth of a potential fuel-wood source.
S.T. Cockerham is Superintendent of Agricultural Operations, UC Riverside. The California Department of Forestry provided partial funding for this project. The author acknowledges the contributions of Paul W. Moore, who was awarded the grant, designed the experiment and established the plots;
Gregory Stapleton and William Doughty, the technicians who kept the study going.


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John Benson
John Benson is a calligrapher, stonecarver and designer of monumental inscriptions. Best known for his letter-carving on such commissions as the Kennedy Memorial at Arlington, Benson has held a lifelong interest in type design. In the seventies he produced photographic typefaces for his own use in architectural graphics. In 1981 he consulted with Maya Lin on the typography of the Viet Nam Memorial. In 1987 he began a series of experiments in digital type design which led to a contract with the Originals Group at Adobe Systems. He has incorporated digital font design with his architectural carving work on such projects as the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, the Armand Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, DC and the Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston, MA. Retired from the stone trade in 2000, Benson is now making figurative and portrait sculpture at his studio in Newport, RI.
John's Fonts· Aardvark


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Destin-Nation Canada: Adventure with a Capital Eh
by Andrew Burmon Subscribe to Andrew Burmon's posts Posted Jun 27th 2011 08:00 AM
If Mexico is America's back yard, fenced in places and cluttered with the remains of yesterday's projects, Canada is the front lawn: The north country is green, welcoming and perfect for a roll in the grass.
In the popular imagination, Canadians are guileless and affably naive, but in reality they must be a cagey lot. All those Bullwinkles have squirreled away more than their fair share of natural beauty. Bookended by New Foundland and Nova Scotia and Vancouver Island in the west, Canada is Choc-A-Bloc with mountains, forests, prairies and tundra, most of which are both accessible and empty.
In the winter months Canada offers myriad skiing, skating, tobogganing, luging, tubing, ice-climbing and snow ball fighting options and there is no less to do come summer, when adventurers can head to the coasts for water sports or make a stab at various and sun-dried peaks.
And the place could not be more accessible. Make a wrong turn in New Hampshire: Hello Canada. Turn right at Seattle: Welcome to Canada. Board an American or Alaska Airlines flight from New York or Chicago to Vancouver: Boom, Canada.
More Articles You Might Like
- Foods You Can't Bring into the U.S. [The Daily Meal]
- 15 Summer Festivals You Can Participate In [NileGuide]
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- Bargaineering - http://www.bargaineering.com/articles -
How to Recover From a Lost Wallet
Posted By Jim On 07/19/2010 @ 12:06 pm In Personal Finance | 24 Comments
In this inaugural post to the Financial Contingency Plan [3] series, I want to discuss one of the most common financial disasters – losing your wallet. Whether you carry a money clip, an actual wallet, or an entire purse, losing it is one of the most demoralizing financial events that can happen to a person. Your wallet is a compartmentalization of your financial identity and contains your driver's license, your cash, any credit and debit cards, your photos, insurance information, and other financial tidbits.
This is what you need to do to prepare for and recover from a lost wallet.
The first step in preparing for a lost wallet is to remove everything you don't need on a daily basis. You want to avoid a Costanza-style wallet where you have every last receipt, business card, and scribbled note you ever received. Clean your wallet out every single day of the junk you don't actually need on a daily basis. You should not have any gift cards, business cards to restaurants you like, or receipts whatsoever. File those away if you need to keep them or recycle them.
Next, take your Social Security card out of your wallet. Way too many people keep this crucial document in their wallet when there's absolutely no need for it. You will never need your Social Security card without knowing beforehand (you should have your own Social Security number memorized though). Take out any blank checks too, that piece of paper has your account number on it too.
Scan or photograph every item in your wallet. The last thing you want to do is try to remember what you had in your wallet whenever you lost it. That's why I recommend taking a picture of everything at least once every three months, or more often if you're especially ambitious, so that you don't have to remember. This will also give you a list of things to do if you do lose your wallet.
Keep at least one backup credit or debit card outside of your wallet. If you lose your wallet, you'll be canceling every credit and debit card you had in the wallet. This will leave you without access to those funds for a few days as new cards are mailed to you. You need to keep a backup card on a different account so you won't be stuck for those few days.
That sucks. You should spend a bit of time trying to find it but if you can't locate it after a day (or after 8 hours anyway), it's time to prepare for the reality that you've lost your wallet for good.
Get your list of contents and start calling everything on that list. Cancel your credit and debit cards, inform any accounts of your lost wallet, and do it quickly. If someone stole your wallet, it won't take much time for them to start using those cards, especially debit cards. While you are protected by federal consumer protection laws, you save yourself a lot of time by preventing fraud in the first place (who wants to wait on hold to talk to a fraud specialist?).
Call your Department of Motor Vehicles to inform them of a lost license. Chances are you'll need to make a trip to your DMV in order to get a new license to replace the one you've lost. Be sure to bring all the required documents and be prepared to wait a bit, DMV's aren't known for their good timing.
Keep an eye on your credit report. Your driver's license has a lot of information on it, information an identity thief would love to have. If it also includes your Social Security number (or if you left your SS card in your wallet), there's enough information for a thief to make a nice clone so you'll want to put a security alert on your report with the bureaus. If you are especially cautious, you could go as far as putting a credit freeze [4].
That should prepare you in the vent you lose your wallet, are there tips that you use that I missed for this Financial Contingency Plan?
(Photo: shareski [5])
Article printed from Bargaineering: http://www.bargaineering.com/articles
URL to article: http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/lost-wallet-recovery-plan.html
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[3] Financial Contingency Plan: http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/tag/financial-contingency-plan
[4] credit freeze: http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/credit-freeze-your-solution-to-id-theft.html
[5] shareski: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shareski/2545515682/sizes/m/
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Morning Marketplace
This Morning Marketplace segment talks with nTelos Wireles, The National Kidney Walk Presenting Sponsor, about how people can get involved and support the walk this Saturday, October 26th.
Friday, October 25 2013, 01:13 PM CDT
Who's on the show?
Video List
Morning Marketplace Bio
Watch Morning Marketplace weekday mornings after FOX Richmond Morning News.. Get expert advise from the area`s top businesses and organizations and find out what`s happening in and around RVA. That`s Morning Marketplace, weekday mornings right here on FOX Richmond..


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Partner: The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
Month: October
Serial/Series Title: Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph
Collection: Early Texas Newspapers
Collection: Telegraph and Texas Register
Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 181, Ed. 1 Monday, October 3, 1870
Date: October 3, 1870
Creator: Chew, J. C.
Description: Tri-weekly newspaper from Houston, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with some advertising.
Contributing Partner: The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History


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BOSTON The Boston Pops annual July 4th concert and fireworks show attended by thousands is being moved up a day because of potential heavy rains ahead of Hurricane Arthur.
Organizers and public safety officials said Wednesday afternoon the celebration is being rescheduled to what appears to be the best of two potential bad weather days. Arthur is expected to pass well east of New England over the weekend.
State Police Col. Timothy Alben said security arrangements are ready to go, since the public rehearsal would have been held Thursday night anyway. He said the performance could be also cancelled Thursday if the weather isn't safe.
With Storrow Drive now scheduled to close at 1 p.m. on Thursday, a regular business day, traffic around the city could get rough. Memorial Drive and the Mass. Ave. and Longfellow bridges will close at 6 p.m. The public will be allowed onto the Esplanade beginning at 5 p.m. (More on street closures and security.)
Pops conductor Keith Lockhart says you have to be flexible when you're producing a big show outside.
"I have to put the concert together no matter what, so what I try to do is make sure that there are no stones we've left unturned," Lockhart said. "So that when we do get a chance to take that stage, and I'm fairly confident we will get that chance over the next few days, that we're ready to go."
Officials say that if weather forces them to cancel Thursday night, consideration will be given to holding the event on Saturday, July 5.
With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom.


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On March 10, 1993, an anti-choice extremist murdered Dr. David Gunn outside of his workplace. In honor of him, Dr. George Tiller, and the others who lost their lives because they performed abortions, we pay tribute to abortion providers today, on the National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers. The National Abortion Federation is collecting names and messages in support for those who dedicate their lives to providing women with safe abortion care. You can leave a message at the NAF website.
87% of counties in the U.S. lack an abortion provider. Legal abortion means nothing without access. Thank you to the health professionals who go out of their way to bring safe abortion care to areas without providers. Thank you for risking harassment–and worse–every day in order to give women access to their right to choose.


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: Ruby hack:
Pokémon Snakewood Version
View Single Post
November 1st, 2010 (4:34 PM). Edited November 1st, 2010 by cheatfreak23.
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Anywhere, for Ive mastered Walk Through Walls!
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Posts: 180
Originally Posted by
Heheh. Yes, I'm quite fond of my puzzles. The Inquisition Boardroom, the Madio Caves, the S.S. Cangrejo... and there are more to come, have no fear of that.
Also, there are 10 of them. Mikov, Bobov, Gunkov, Karkov, Robotnov, Rolv, Sputnov, Vladov, Adolv, and Asimov. Together, they are the Deadly Seven... or are they something more? Play on to find out...
What Ive found out is: All of them are insane. But right now, Ive gotten past them and Im now stuck in Madio Cave (the cave next to the Safari Zone) and I now dub that part your most evil creation so far....
EDIT: Im way past that stuff and Im taking a short break to get my mind ready for the Elite 4.
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A prominent campaigner and powerful lobbyist, Ms. Azza Suleiman is one of the most active advocates in the field of human rights in general, and women's rights in particular. For more than 10 years, she has partnered with Equality Now on campaigns to combat violence against women with a strong focus on female genital mutilation. She has also successfully contributed to the repeal or amendment of a significant number of sex discriminatory laws, and in 2009, worked with Equality Now to submit a statement to the Arab League Chief demanding the creation of a UN Special Rapporteur to combat discriminatory laws against women.
Ms. Suleiman has been the director of the Center for Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance (CEWLA [1]) since its founding in 1995. CEWLA is a leading Egyptian women's lawyers group that advances women's rights through the law. It provides legal aid, mainly to impoverished women, and advocates against female genital mutilation (FGM), 'honor crimes' and discriminatory divorce laws.
As Egyptian women continue to call for integration of their rights in post-revolution Egypt and for implementation of the 2011 Egyptian Women's Charter [2] -- endorsed by half a million of the country's citizens -- we discussed the main obstacles Egypt's women are facing and how CEWLA is helping to address them.
1. How did you start working in women's rights in Egypt; what motivated you to start your organization?
I started working in politics at a young age as I have always had a dream for my country that includes equality and justice for all and for women to finally be given respect, since they have historically been looked down upon in society and been made to feel like second class citizens. I was motivated to start my organization largely because of my personal experiences witnessing the challenges and obstacles that have hindered women's advancement. In 1994, I started working at the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, where I witnessed firsthand the tragedies suffered by female relatives of members of the Islamic groups. These women were subjected to torture and forced-abortion by Egypt's state security agency in order to pressure their male counterparts to surrender to the security force. After working there for a year I left to start CEWLA, which is located in the Boulaq El Dakrour region.
One of the main objectives of the organization is to provide legal support and legal aid to vulnerable women living in the most underprivileged and impoverished areas of the country, keeping in mind that constitutes the vast majority of the population of Egypt. While legal illiteracy is common among all segments of Egyptian society, including the middle and upper class, it is especially prevalent in poor and marginalized communities. The absence of a state of law, ignorance of the law, poverty and feelings of helplessness, often cause people to unwittingly break the law. Once a law is broken, trying to navigate the judicial system can be quite expensive and often results in unexpected consequences, including: being held legally-accountable due to a lack of understanding of legal procedures; unknowingly participating in criminal acts due to legal ignorance; and due to widespread gender discrimination, the further loss of women's rights, and frequently, their property and inheritance.
2. What do you feel are the main challenges facing women in Egypt?
Egyptian women face many daily challenges, including:
- The lack of democracy in Egypt and the existence of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces [3] which has been ruling the country during the transitional period without clear guidelines outlining its functions and authority;
- Increased violence due to the lack of safety and security in the absence of the rule of law;
- Traditional customs that lead to illiteracy and increased school dropout rates for girls and young women. Because of poverty, if a family has to choose who they can afford to send to school, they overwhelmingly choose to educate their boys;
- Child marriage;
- Discriminatory laws, and especially those pertaining to personal status laws, which are derived from Islamic law and dictate the rules of marriage, divorce, custody, alimony, inheritance and employment;
- Reactionary religious discourses that undermine women's rights;
- Uninformed media discourse, which deepens customs, traditions and the reactionary community discourse.
3. How does your organization address violence against women?
At CEWLA we deal with very sensitive matters relating to women such as, "honor crimes," rape, incest, depriving women of their inheritance and arranged marriages deals. At the legislative level we place women's issues on the agenda of the authorities by conducting dialogue, providing suggestions, submitting shadow reports to applicable UN committees and by following up on concluding remarks with the relevant governmental bodies. In the community we have programs for illiterate women to make them aware of their legal rights within the existing law, we conduct trainings on women's legal and human rights targeting religious clergy, and we work on religious discourse and the adoption of Islamic jurisprudence in line with developments in society. CEWLA also provides legal suggestions on laws that discriminate against women and administers campaigns including the importance of having a family law for Christians, the need to amend personal status laws, an anti-FGM initiative, a call to create a law against depriving women of their inheritance and a media campaign to combat violence against women. Lastly, the organization provides legal, social and psychological aid to women who reach out to us and is in the process of opening a shelter for female victims of violence.
4. What kind of actions and activities are you and your organization implementing to support women in Egypt?
We have implemented several programs to combat violence against women including a comprehensive program that deals with incest, rape, and inheritance. In doing so, we have built a coalition to combat violence against women that consists of 72 organizations throughout Egypt. We have a program that lobbies to change the discriminatory laws against Christian and Muslim women by calling on the authorities to comply with international conventions, especially CEDAW [4]. CEWLA has programs targeting illiteracy and legal illiteracy and legal litigation support services for female victims of violence that work to strengthen them legally, socially, economically and politically. A unit for monitoring and documenting violations against women was created to facilitate the provision of support to women and to highlight their problems to relevant legal and social bodies. Additionally, CEWLA has training programs for young men and women to raise their gender awareness and to create community dialogue on the importance of actively participating in the formation of a new constitution that will take gender issues into account. We strongly believe that the new constitution should be written by the people it will govern.
5. What challenges and risks do you and your fellow activists face by working in this field?
Some of the main challenges facing us as activists are:
- The Supreme Council for Armed Forces, which currently rules Egypt, defames the reputations of activists by accusing them of implementing foreign agendas in Egypt. They also shut down our organizations and jail activists;
- Media agencies that damage the reputations of civil society organizations by misrepresenting our work;
- Administrative and financial restrictions imposed on civil society organizations;
- The lack of a cohesive activist network;
- Prior to the revolution, activists were constantly harassed by state security members; I myself was a victim for demanding democracy for Egypt. Nowadays it still happens but they are doing it in less open ways. For example, they frequently delay the granting of approval on the projects of the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS), increase the restrictions on civil society organizations and have increased the number of investigations and inspections on campaigns mounted by the organizations.
6. What kind of laws or regulations do you think the Egyptian government should draft to support women in Egypt?
There is a tremendous need to change the existing personal status law including marriage, custody, alimony and divorce for both Christians and Muslims. Additionally, family protection laws are needed, certain clauses within the penal code with regard to incest and "honor crimes" need to be changed and labor laws need to be amended especially where domestic and agriculture workers, who are typically women, are concerned.
7. What suggestions would you give the Egyptian government to address women's rights after the revolution?
The Egyptian government should work to include women in the different committees that have been created and encourage them to actively participate in the new parties. By playing an active role, women will be able to interact with the People's Assembly and the Shura councils. In addition, policy makers and planners should develop a concrete plan of action that will make a real difference in the lives of girls post revolution, including: incorporating women on the steering committee that is putting together the constitution; including language in the constitution that doesn't discriminate on the basis of gender; implementing a quota system that guarantees women will be included in all governmental public institutions; ensuring that women are part of the judicial system; and a reconstruction of the Ministry of Media to address the depiction of women in the media and to address our issues, needs and demands. The Egyptian government should also cooperate and network with civil society organizations to increase opportunities for women's empowerment, including initiatives addressing illiteracy and combating harmful traditional practices.
8. To conclude, what steps need to be taken to better the situation of Egyptian women?
- Educate the media so that they will cover women's rights using the human rights perspective;
- Train judges on the proper use of international conventions for women's human rights;
- Build the professional capacity of staff working in women's shelters;
- Develop women's potential as full, equal members of society, both in the private and public spheres;
- Address the immediate needs of women and provide them with legal and psychological support;
- Place women's issues on the agenda of the new government in all areas;
- Educate the public on the importance of gender equality by conducting workshops and by encouraging dialogue among civil society organizations, the media and religious clergy.
Please consider supporting our work on discrimination in law [5].
For more information about Ms. Suleiman's organization please visit www.cewla.org [1] (in Arabic).


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Sixth man arrested in convenience store robbery
Authorities in Missoula say a sixth man has been arrested following a convenience store robbery that left the clerk with a skull fracture.
The Missoulian reports (http://bit.ly/VdgbKV) in a story published Saturday that 19-year-old Tureadon Ehud Thibodeaux was ordered held on $100,000 bail on charges of assault with a weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery.
In all, six people were arrested following the robbery reported on Jan. 8.
Others who police say are involved are brothers Devon and Ikaika Kamaka, Cruz Bernardi and Andrew Badger.
Authorities say Thibodeaux, Badger and Devon Kamaka entered Jay's Mart and two of them struck the clerk with bats, then fled with the store's cash register.
The Missoula County Attorney's Office says Timothy Lamar Parks was booked into the Missoula County jail following the robbery but was released after posting bond and has not been charged in the case.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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That's the snap assessment for the varsity girls basketball team of Bartlesville High School, which has spent part of its summer getting ready for next winter.
"We've got a lot of kids doing a lot of things this summer," veteran head coach Terry Rogers said earlier this week. "The ninth and 10th graders have been playing over at Barnsdall in a summer league and we're playing in a Dewey summer league on Monday nights. We're going to have a lot of games with the jayvee kids."
In addition, the varsity-experienced girls — along with those being groomed to move up — have participated in two team camps, at Fort Gibson and at Owasso.
What ever the Lady Bruin varsity may lack in battle-tested players, it may make up for in tradition and system.
Rogers and his staff have guided Bartlesville to a cumulative 53-22 record the past three seasons — an average of nearly 18 wins per campaign.
But, after graduating, in 2013, his leading scorer and two four-year starters, Rogers graduated two more four-year starters, and a potent scorer, off last year's team.
The cupboard still isn't empty for Rogers, however.
He will welcome back two more four-year-starters-to-be in Hailey Tucker and Gabby Culver for his 2014-15 squad, along with last year's sixth man in Rachel Behar.
After that, however, the depth gets a bit thin, with the possible exception of Erin Henry, a reserve guard on last year's squad.
"Erin Henry has been doing a great job in the summer," said Rogers. "If we had to open up today, we've have four starters (Tucker, Culver, Behar and Henry)."
One of Rogers' focuses during the off-season is to try to determine his fifth starter.
Several girls "have contributed pretty well," said Rogers. "Whether it's going to be sophomores, junior or seniors, we'll find someone to fill in that fifth spot."
Effort and determination will be the factors that will round out the lineup, Rogers said.
In addition to Henry, Erin Waddle, Jordan Phillips, Kiersten Littau, Kelsey Eason and Roni Gilliard are receiving good looks, Rogers said.
A pair of freshmen who may get a chance to make an impact are Erin Shoemaker and Faith Hopkins, Rogers added.
In fact, close to 40 girls, eighth-grade-and-older, have tried out for the squad.
He also praised his veteran trio of well-honed seniors — Tucker, Culver and Behar — for their work with the younger players.
"They've praised them when they needed to be praised, and they've been on them when they needed to be on them," he said.
Tucker has been the center of attention — literally — the past three years for the Lady Bruins.
"She's gone to play everywhere," Rogers noted.
Last season, the 6-foot-2 Tucker led the Lady Bruins in scoring and swatted several opponent shots.
As far as the rest of the summer, Rogers said a date still needs to be set for the Lady Bruins' summer camp for girls.


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Have Legal Questions? Ask a Lawyer Now.
Thank you for thanking the time to explain those things to me. I like the word, "succinctly" and do understand it. :-) I guess when you get your first ever notice of a deposition, it is easy to get kind of "keyed up". I will look at it as a good thing to have a month to get used to the idea. I guess it is funny to be worried about the people, because it is only the truth that really matters and I've got that. I like what you said, in "I'm quite certain that once you get started you will be at ease and able to handle the situation." That's good for comfort...
Educator, Esq: Follow up question: Is the following
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March 27, 2012
Stanford Game Notes | Massachusetts Game Notes
Ticket Info | Media Guide/Record Book | Preseason Spain Trip Coverage
The 1991 NIT: Five Pieces To A Championship
NIT Special, Episode 1: Arrival in NYC
NEW YORK- Josh Owens and Chasson Randle joined head coach Johnny Dawkins at an introductory press conference Monday morning, kicking off the day's events.
With the New York Jets holding Tim Tebow's introductory press conference at the same exact time, media attendance was on the lighter side but still robust enough to create a frenzied environment on the eighth floor of the Marriott Marquis.
After breakfast and a meeting, the team headed over to NYU for its practice session. Former Cardinal standout Peter Sauer stopped by to watch practice and spoke briefly to the team.
Later that evening, players and coaches attended a formal banquet at The Boathouse on East 72nd and Central Park Drive. All four teams in attendance were recognized for their accomplishments.
Stay tuned to www.gostanford.com for continued coverage.
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Entering the year, expectations were heightened for this year's six-member sophomore class, which arrived on The Farm last fall as a top-20 national recruiting class.
Rightfully so, with Anthony Brown and Dwight Powell leading the way after earning spots on last year's Pac-10 All-Freshman Team. Fellow newcomers Aaron Bright, John Gage, Josh Huestis and Stefan Nastic also displayed flashes of potential at various times. Stanford's heralded rookie class had also made the most starts combined (47) of any team in the conference and accounted for the highest percentage of team scoring (40.3).
Things were obviously looking up.
But the 2011-12 campaign hasn't always gone according to script. Injuries and inconsistent outings have resulted in a slight decrease in overall production at times. Simply put, the kids are still growing up.
However, it should be noted that without the recent performances of several Stanford sophomores, the Cardinal's season would have ended two weeks ago. Instead, the group is playing at its best in the exact type of do-or-die situation in which results matter the most.
Anthony Brown notched his first double-double of the year in Stanford's first-round win over Cleveland State, scoring 15 points and pulling down a career-high 12 boards. In three NIT games, Brown is averaging 9.7 points and his trademark smooth stroke appears to be back. Stanford's best rebounder during NIT play? That would be Brown, grabbing 7.0 rebounds per game. His scoring punch is a bonus: Stanford is 10-1 when Brown scores in double figure this year.
Against Illinois State in the second round, Aaron Bright enjoyed his best collegiate game, pouring in a career-high 29 points on 11-13 shooting while establishing a school postseason record with six three-pointers. He's absolutely caught fire in the postseason, averaging 18.7 points while shooting 75.0 percent from both the field and three-point territory. Bright has come off the bench in all three games and appears comfortable in such a role.
Dwight Powell added a season-high 18 points on 8-11 shooting in the win over Illinois State, also grabbing nine rebounds in the process. Slowed by injuries earlier in the year, Powell is healthy once again and presenting a matchup nightmare for opponents. Active on both ends of the floor, Powell is averaging 10.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while making 14-18 (77.8 percent) from the field during Stanford's NIT run.
Josh Huestis shined in Stanford's rout of Nevada, chipping in with 12 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. One of the conference's most improved players, Huestis' double-digit performance against the Wolf Pack was his first in two months. Huestis is averaging 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in postseason action, and his team-leading 40 blocks are the most swats by any Cardinal player since Robin Lopez (83) and Brook Lopez (56) in 2008.
John Gage and Stefan Nastic provide additional depth in the frontcourt.
Bottom line: Cardinal fans should be encouraged.
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The following nugget comes from former Stanford guard (and defacto program historian) John Platz, who is in his second season as the Cardinal's radio play-by-play voice following 21 years as the team's color analyst.
Three of Stanford's all-time greatest players hail from the metropolitan New York area. All-American guard Brevin Knight '97 (East Orange, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) is Stanford's all-time leader in career assists (780) and steals (298) in addition to ranking fourth in points (1,714). Three-time all-conference forward Kimberly Belton '80 (Bronx, NY/Horance Mann HS) ranks third in career rebounds (955) and sixth in points (1,615). Knight currently is a television analyst with the Memphis Grizzlies while Belton is a longtime producer with ABC Sports. Meanwhile, forward/center John Revelli '84 (Scarsdale, NY/Scarsdale HS) was a teammate of Platz and ranks eighth all-time in points (1,592), seventh in rebounds (798) and third in field goal percentage (59.1). Ironically enough, none of the three ever played at Madison Square Garden.
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The thought of playing in an environment like Madison Square Garden might seem intimidating to most, but Stanford should be just fine if November's Preseason NIT showing was any indication.
Granted, two games makes for a small sample size, but the Cardinal adjusted quickly to the arena's nuances with several players enjoying solid shooting performances.


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A school and education training facility built by U.S.-led forces pose a danger to Afghan students and teachers, including one building that could collapse without warning, the chief American watchdog inside the country warns.
"We have serious concerns for the safety of the hundreds of faculty and children that will be using the classrooms at any given time," said a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR.
The two buildings are the Bathkhak School in Kabul province and the Sheberghan teacher training facility in Jawzjan province. Inspector General John Sopko is so concerned about the buildings' safety that he took the unusual step of sending letters to government officials before his office's report is finished.
The contractor building the Bathkhak School substituted building materials without U.S. approval, the IG said. The plan for a wood-truss ceiling and sheet-metal roof was replaced with a concrete roof, and Sopko said he was concerned the building was in danger of imminent collapse.
"The school's interior and exterior walls appear to be insufficiently constructed to hold the weight of the concrete ceiling," he said.
Making matters worse, the IG said that the Bathkhak school is in an area of "high seismic activity," raising the possibility of a structural collapse.
The IG said exact recommendations would be provided in their final report, but he urged U.S. officials to immediately take action to make the school safer, and avoid turning over control of the building to the Afghan government until the safety concerns were fixed.
Sopko wrote letters to the commander of U.S forces in Afghanistan, the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development with concerns about the two schools.
"Due to a serious risk that the building could collapse, we also will be requesting the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to notify the Afghan Ministry of Education of these safety concerns," the IG said.
The second building was a teacher training facility in Jawzjan province. Investigators found problems with the electrical wiring that could cause fires or electrocution. Plus, the building doesn't yet have working water and sewage systems.
"Despite the fact that the building is still under construction, our inspectors found that the Afghans have already begun using the building," Sopko said.
The U.S. paid $262,899 to build the Bathkhak School and $2.9 million to construct several teacher training facilities around Afghanistan. The IG's report did not list problems with any of the company's structures other than the Sheberghan facility.
Neither company could be reached for comment.
Sure, you could grill another hot dog. Or, you could try one of these 30 recipes for foods you never knew you could cook on the grill.


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- 91Promote
Art Print
Media Wars: The Cassette Strikes Backby [ His Artwork ]
Collect your choice of gallery quality Giclée, or fine art prints custom trimmed by hand in a variety of sizes with a white border for framing.
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Updated this artwork 10/2015
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The ABIT AW8-Max supports all current Intel LGA-775 CPUs including the 840 Extreme Edition, the 670 3.8GHz and earlier CPUs. The 955X operates at up to a 533MHz FSB, allowing installation of the 3.73GHz Extreme Edition CPUs as well. With the new Dual Core CPUs, HyperThreading is present only on the 840 EE.
Memory support on the board comes in the vein of 4 DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Modules). The 955X chipset supports up to 8GB of Dual Channel Un-buffered Non-ECC DDR2 memory when a 64-bit OS (Operating System) is used, 4GB when Windows 32-bit is used. ABIT differentiates their Dual-Channel by color coding pairs. Simply put a matching pair in matching color slots and it'll work just fine.
ABIT's board has one PCI Express x16 slot for the graphics card. Some 955x boards have dual slots, but are limited to x4 connectivity on the second slot. Also present on the board are two PCI Express x1 slots two PCI V2.3 compliant slots and a slot for ABIT's AUDIOMAX card. One thing about the board that bothered me though, was I wish ABIT included another PCI or PCI Express x1 slot, as 4 slots is not much expansion room for the power user and may be limiting for some.
Drive expansion on the board, on the other hand, is excellent. The 955X chipset supports up to 4 SATA ports with the ICH7R North Bridge natively. ABIT went the extra mile by including a Silicon Image Sil3132 chip with two additional SATA ports. Both controllers support SATAII technology, allowing for 3 Gb/second of transfer, instead of the 1.5 found on SATA1. Intel's Matrix Storage technology allows for RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 modes. One IDE controller and one Floppy Drive controller make up the rest of the drive expansion on the board. The Input Output area of the AW8-Max board is very interesting. ABIT pioneered quiet cooling on the North Bridge chip with their Silent-Outside Thermal-Exhaust-System. Due to the grill on the rear of the board, there is no parallel or COM ports on this board. ABIT did include PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard ports, 2 RJ45 jacks for the LAN, and 4 USB 2.0 ports and an IEEE-1394 port.