Dubai Customs has launched the Basma (Imprint) Award, a new competition focused on innovation management and intellectual property rights defense. The initiative aligns with the UAE's "Year of Community" objectives, aiming to foster creative thinking, skill building, and a culture of innovation across all segments of society.
Who Can Participate in the Dubai Customs Basma Award
The award is structured around two participant divisions:
- General public - School and university students
Both groups are encouraged to create awareness content that highlights the health risks, economic consequences, and environmental effects of counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations.
Three Submission Categories
Participants can enter in one of three formats:
1. Awareness video — a social media campaign video promoting intellectual property rights protection. 2. Written content — an article or short story defending intellectual property rights and their societal value. 3. Podcast — an engaging audio discussion exploring intellectual property issues and their impact on innovation.
Key Dates and Prizes
- Submission deadline: February 17, 2025 - Review period: March 3–25, 2025 - Winners announced: April 26, 2025 — World Intellectual Property Day
Cash prizes will be awarded to competition winners. All participants receive expert guidance throughout the submission process. For details, visit www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae or call the toll-free number 8001886.
Dubai Customs' Commitment to Fighting Counterfeits
Yousef Ozair Mubarak, Director of the IPR Department at Dubai Customs, stated that the organization is "deeply committed to safeguarding the rights of trademark owners, innovators, and creators." Dubai Customs deploys workshops, competitions, and educational campaigns to combat counterfeit distribution and reinforce Dubai's global standing as a hub for creators and businesses.
Aisha Harib, Senior Officer for Awareness and Education at the IPR Department, explained that a new category has been added to include the broader public, "encouraging everyone to engage in innovation" and raising awareness about the value of intellectual property rights in everyday life.
Supporting the UAE Year of Community
The Basma Award reflects Dubai Customs' wider mission under the UAE Year of Community framework — protecting innovators, producers, and intellectual property owners across industries while building a more informed and creative society. Residents and students across the UAE are encouraged to participate before the February 17 deadline.
