Geographical Indications

The west African nation of Benin has registered its first protected geographical indication at the African Intellectual Property Organisation on 28 October.  The honour goes to the sugarloaf pineapple from the Allada Plateau, which has juicy and sweet white flesh, and the distinction of remaining green when fully ripe.

During its short existence, the Cape Verde Institute of Management and Quality of Intellectual Property (IGQPI) has mainly focused on protecting trademarks and patents. Other IP rights – such as appellations of origin and geographical indications (GIs) – have therefore been ignored.

Lisbon was chosen by World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO to receive the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications.

This event takes place every two years, bringing together representants from all around the globe, and other Intellectual Property Professionals, to discussed this distinctive and very important topic to the development of local economies.

Past 5th of August, Portugal has signed the Geneva Act, which amends the Lisbon Agreement and that protects Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications.