Sale of duplicate goods on social media to stop in Dubai

Specialised units set up to monitor e-commerce websites

In a first-of-its-kind move in the region, the Department of Economic Development - Dubai (DED) has set up two specialised control units: One for monitoring online businesses and another for protecting intellectual property. The two new online units, which will be affiliated to the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector, will serve as watchdogs to keep a close watch on malpractices and trade fraud.

Meetings boost productivity Salah Al Deberky Periodic meetings between employees and the management help government departments and institutions function effectively. They address issues and suggest the best solutions. They also act as a vehicle to cement cordial relations among employees, contribute effectively in the exchange of expertise among employees, gives employees  freedom of expression and a sense of responsibility, as well as instil positive energy in the minds of employees. However, the meetings have to be conducted each time with set objectives meant for discussions , and should be chaired by a convener.   The decisions have to be documented and later circulated among the attendees and those concerned so that they can be implemented after the meeting.   We, in the Department of Economic Development- Dubai (DED) work as a team, and always encourage employees to attend the meetings with their suggestions. Though many top-level meetings are happening, unfortunately, an interaction between operational-level employees and the higher management does not happen.  The aim of such meetings is to make the employee feel he is important, and encourage him to be more productive in the work place. If the meetings are  held without the intervention of management, employees will feel free to share their views, exchange expertise and boost relationship among them. (As told by Nasser Al Zahid — Senior-Director of the Follow-up Section)

Mohammed Lootah, Executive Director of Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector, said the duties of the control unit include ensuring the authenticity of sales permits of e-commerce websites. The unit will also ensure that the offers on trade websites are credible and accurate. “The unit will monitor sale processes on websites based in Dubai and ensure that they have procured the trade licences required for practising trade activities they practise,” he said.

He said e-commerce websites should have an electronic trade licence. The unit will make sure that such websites are not promoting products or services that are “misleading”.

The other unit — the intellectual property protection unit, an affiliate of the Intellectual Property Protection Section — will combat the sale of duplicate products online that are promoted via social networking websites.

The unit will put an end to infringements on intellectual property rights of trade brands.

The unit, he said, will coordinate with the bodies concerned in the country in monitoring online sales and book e-commerce sites that promote duplicate products. “It will also combat online piracy, particularly those related to television programmes, which will be done in cooperation with the bodies responsible for regularisation of websites and telecommunication regulatory authorities,” he said. The sector will work on holding comprehensive training programmes to qualify inspectors on monitoring violations. In these programmes, inspectors will be made aware of the prominent techniques followed by unscrupulous traders. Such traders use various marketing techniques and tracking them will require coordination between the bodies concerned, Lootah affirmed.

Fill in all details in raffle coupons Salah Al Deberky The Promotion Events Control section of the DED oversees and ensures the authenticity of raffle draws and the follow up process up to the end of the draw to make sure that the trade establishment has handed over the prizes to the winners.     It also ensures that the establishment has delivered an in-depth report containing the returned prizes, be they are in kind or in cash as well as the names of the winners and the coupons of the raffles. According to Khalid Al Boom, senior director of the promotion events control section, the trader is bound to hand over everything related to the promotional campaign to the DED after a fixed period of time.  Thereafter, the winner shall have no claim to the prize. Consumers have been alerted to receive their prizes immediately after the announcement of the winners or after receiving the note of winning the prize. “There are many consumers who do not give all information on the coupons,” he said. Al Boom advised the consumer to duly fill in the coupons. All information needs to be filled up so that traders can communicate easily with the winner. More than one contact number can be given,  he said. “The consumer should retain the coupon and write his/her name clearly that matches the name as in the ID.” -salah@khaleejtimes.com

“At present, we are coordinating with Dubai-based e-commerce websites to put up information about the rights of consumers. This will help boost the confidence of customers.”

 Lootah said the DED will pursue various mechanisms for protecting consumers, with the awareness factor as a catalyst to explain the importance of safety while making payments online. The DED will also stress the importance of after-sales service.

 The unit will also be responsible for ensuring that customer data is protected.  Lootah urged consumers to refrain from storing sensitive data like bank details online. —  salah@khaleejtimes.com  

Dh3 million in revenues returned to rightful owner

The Consumer Protection Section of the Department of Economic Development - Dubai (DED) made a Dubai-based trader pay Dh3 million to a merchant based outside the country after the former reneged on a contract he signed with the latter. The merchant approached the Consumer Protection Department, claiming he signed an agreement with the Dubai-based trader to sell mobile phones on his behalf on a commission basis. The trader was to transfer the revenues to the merchant, according to the contract.

After a period of time, the trader reneged on the contract and failed to send the complainant the revenues from selling the phones. The complainant said he contacted the trader several times, but to no avail. He finally approached the DED to sort out the issue.

The Consumer Complaints Section of the DED reviewed the complaint and examined the contract and other relevant documents. The section found that many mobile phones were sold in the local market, but the trader failed to remit the money to the complainant.

Accordingly, the DED summoned the trader and apprised him of the complaint. He was directed to calculate the revenues made from the number of mobile phones he sold here.

Ayman Al Falasi, Senior Director of the Consumer Complaints Section, said the revenues from the sale of mobile phones here reached Dh3 million.

The trader was directed to transfer the money to the complainant and bring the transfer receipt to the section to verify compliance. — salah@khaleejtimes.com

Khaleej Times runs the ‘Consumer Forum’ series in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development in Dubai. Readers can email their complaints and suggestions to news@khaleejtimes.com with the subject line ‘Consumer Forum’ or raise them directly with the DED on phone number 600 545 555

• UAE