WIPO has announced that the European Union has become the fifth member of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. As the EU is the fifth member to join, the Act can now enter into force.

The WIPO announcement states:

Ambassador Terhi Hakala, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, deposited the EU instrument of accession with WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, in the presence EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan. With the EU’s accession, the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement will enter into force for all its contracting parties on February 26, 2020.

“The EU’s accession enables entry into force of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement, while greatly expanding the geographical coverage of this important registration system,” said Mr. Gurry. “As interest in the provenance of products grows, protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications benefits consumers demanding authenticity as well as producers seeking new ways to add value and distinguish their products in an increasingly global and competitive marketplace,” he added.

“The EU has invested more than twenty years’ work to develop a successful Geographical Indications policy, protecting the intellectual property of our farmers and food producers at home and abroad,” said Mr. Hogan. He added. “With this accession to the Geneva Act, we are reinforcing our commitment to promote food quality and traceability at the international level. This will bring clear benefits to our global partners as well as EU producers, consumers, growth and jobs.”

The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement, adopted May 20, 2015, allows the international registration of geographical indications and appellations of origin through a single registration procedure with WIPO, and permits the accession to the Act by certain intergovernmental organizations, including the European Union and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI).

The foundational Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration was originally concluded in 1958.

Together, the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement and the Lisbon Agreement form what is commonly referred to as the “Lisbon System.”

Photo: WIPO/ALBOUY