Geographical Indications

From north to south, and from east to west, Africa’s cultural legacy is present in diverse and captivating ways, especially when it comes to its agricultural heritage.

From the raw materials used to make clothing, to the traditional ingredients for culinary recipes, Africa holds hidden treasures in agricultural knowledge and customs. Its varying climates give rise to unique combinations of flavours, species, and production methods, all contributing to an agricultural legacy that is both distinctive and invaluable.

To continue the collaborative relationship between the Portuguese National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the Institute of Vine and Wine (IVV), a new protocol was signed on 29 October 2024. This agreement aims to prevent trademark registrations that may cause conflict, and safeguard collective heritage by ensuring such terms remain tied to their rightful geographical origins and are not subject to exclusive appropriation.

In the picturesque region of Aveiro, Portugal, where tradition is as rich as the history that surrounds it, a legal battle has been brewing over one of the country’s most cherished delicacies: Ovos Moles de Aveiro.

This sweet treat, known for its delicate shell and rich egg yolk filling, has long been a symbol of the region, with European Union protected geographical indication (PGI) status. But in recent years, this protection was put to the test in a case that has sparked debate over the limits of geographical indications and the protection of traditional products.

São Tomé and Príncipe is an island state formed by two islands of volcanic origin, located in the Gulf of Guinea, approximately 300km from the West African coast on the imaginary equator. São Tomé, the largest island, has an area of 859 km2, while Príncipe has an area of 142 km2.

The Inventa IP Review magazine highlights some of the IP news of the previous year, written by our team, through opinion articles, interviews or press releases. We cover relevant topics that have marked the field of innovation, trademarks, patents or intellectual property rights.

On November 16, 2023, the new European Regulation on GI protection for craft and industrial products (CIGIR) came into effect, applicable from December 1, 2025.

On August 2, 2023, the government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin (AOs) and Geographical Indications (GIs), which will enter into force on November 2, 2023.

The Africa Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Project (AfrIPI) is an international cooperation project funded and directed by the European Union (EU), co-founded, and implemented by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), that aims to facilitate intra-African trade and African and European investment.

An interesting dispute regarding the use of the name “Prosecco” has been a topic repeatedly addressed in IP news.

As an introduction to the theme, it is important to recall that the protection of geographical indications (GIs) in relation to food and agricultural products, particularly those that possess unique qualities attributed to the region and are produced using specific methods, is strongly emphasised by the European Union (EU).

Cape Verde is an island state formed by ten islands of volcanic origin, located in the tropical north-western Atlantic Ocean, on the African continent, 500km off the coast of Senegal. With landscapes varying from dry plains to high active volcanoes with cliffs rising steeply from the ocean, islands in the east are arid and only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits, while the more southerly ones receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have impacted the soil fertility and vegetation.