New Guide Issued To Help Developing Countries Embrace GIs, As WTO, WIPO Meet

Two European-based organisations working in agriculture and development will launch a joint publication next week that provides a guide for developing countries to consider geographical indications. The guide comes as the World Trade Organization and World Intellectual Property Organization hold meetings next week.

The Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network (OriGIn) in collaboration with the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development, a European project with developing countries, will launch the publication on 15 December, in the context of the WTO 8th Ministerial Conference.

The manual also comes in time for members of the WIPO gathering next week to discuss a new proposed treaty on GIs. The WIPO Working Group on the Development of the Lisbon System (Appellations of Origin) will meet from 12-16 December.

The Practical Manual on Geographical Indications for ACP countries, “aims to serve as a practical tool to assist interested stakeholders in the ACP countries” (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States) to better understand the geographical indications issues, definitions, and legal options of protection. The manual, which also documents operational aspects of establishing sustainable GIs can be downloaded on the OriGIn website.