New Worldwide Compilation Of GIs Launched: Helping To Bridge Two Approaches?

The Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network (oriGIn) launched a worldwide compilation of geographical indications today at the World Intellectual Property Organization. The compilation, which lists over 7,000 geographical indications, beyond providing a technical tool, is also presented as a tool of reconciliation.

The compilation, oriGIn said in a press release, lists 7,699 geographical indications (GIs), which is the number of GIs currently protected around the world, in alphabetical order.

The compilation cannot be considered exhaustive, the release says, but the initiative aims at bringing clarity, common language, and transparency in the international GIs landscape.

Quoted in the release, Felix Addor, deputy director general of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), said, “Switzerland was pleased to support this oriGIn initiative. oriGIn’s Worldwide GIs compilation is released at a crucial point in the negotiations and debates for a better protection of GIs at the international level. The compilation demonstrates the growing importance of GIs as an intellectual property right that benefits both, developing and developed countries, their producers, consumers and local communities alike.”

Supporters of the initiative are the IPI, the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (OFAG), the Ministry of Agriculture of Italy (MIPAAF) and the Ministry of Agriculture of France (MAAF).

“Through this tool, oriGIn wishes to promote a fruitful dialogue among countries adopting different approaches on GIs, with the objective to reconcile the existing differences,” said Claude Vermot-Desroches, recently elected president of oriGIn.

The issue of GIs is being discussed this week during the WIPO Standing Committee on Trademark, Industrial Designs, and Geographical Indications (SCT). Delegates have to agree on a work programme on GIs.

Political and economic tensions have kept delegates from agreeing on GIs at WIPO and the neighbouring World Trade Organization. One of the main areas of disagreement is the way to protect GIs, whether through a sui generis system (like in the European Union), or through a trademark system (like in the United States and Australia).

 

Image Credits: WIPO Flickr – Violaine Martin