**Syria’s Passport Fiasco: The Accidental Art of Neglect**
In recent times, passports have transitioned from simple travel documents to embodiments of national identity, frequently embellished with art and visuals that honor a nation’s legacy. For example, the United States released a “patriotic” passport featuring President Trump. Conversely, Syria’s new passport design has made news for a more unfortunate reason: a significant blunder related to intellectual property infringement.
Starting in 2023, Syria has been rolling out biometric passports with a refreshed design, showcasing images from different regions of the country. The image on page 35, illustrating the Al-Hamidiyeh Souq in Damascus, has ignited debate. This illustration, meant to showcase Syria’s cultural wealth, inadvertently includes a watermark: “WASEEM ASMAR PHOTOGRAPHY.” The blunder indicates that the Syrian government used the photo without authorization, neglecting to eliminate the visible watermark.
Wissam Asmar, the photographer, took the picture during a trip to Damascus in 2009. He became aware of its unauthorized use in the Syrian passport three years ago through an anonymous message on Facebook. Asmar asserts he was never contacted by the Syrian authorities for consent. He estimates that his photo could be present in around 20 million editions of the passport, valuing the image at up to one million dollars in comparable international cases.
Although the actual count of these passports in circulation is likely lower, considering Syria’s population and the recent rollout, the event highlights a broader concern regarding intellectual property rights. The previous Syrian regime’s apparent neglect of such rights is not entirely surprising, but the lack of attention to the watermark issue is unexpected.
This passport fiasco acts as a reminder of the necessity of honoring intellectual property and the possible repercussions of negligence. As Syria continues to navigate its intricate political situation, this incident adds another dimension to its global reputation, emphasizing the need for enhanced attention to detail and respect for artistic creations.