The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement: What You Need to Know
The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement is an international treaty that was adopted on May 20, 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. This treaty is an extension of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, which was first signed on October 31, 1958.
The Lisbon Agreement established a system for the international registration and protection of appellations of origin, a type of geographical indication that identifies a product originating in a particular region and is known for its unique characteristics. The agreement aimed to provide better protection for such geographical indications, particularly for developing countries. The Lisbon Agreement is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.
The Geneva Act builds on this system by expanding the scope of protection to cover geographical indications as well. Geographical indications are similar to appellations of origin, but they may identify a product originating from a larger region or territory rather than a specific place. For example, `Champagne` is a protected appellation of origin for a sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France, while `Prosecco` is a protected geographical indication for a sparkling wine produced in a few regions of Italy.
The Geneva Act allows for the registration of both appellations of origin and geographical indications in one international register. This simplifies the registration process for producers and makes protection more accessible. It also allows for the protection of non-agricultural products, such as handicrafts and industrial products, which were not covered under the Lisbon Agreement.
The Geneva Act also sets out new rules for the use of names that are similar to protected appellations of origin or geographical indications. This is to prevent unfair competition and misleading consumers. For example, a cheese producer in Argentina cannot label their product as `Parmesan` if it does not come from the Parma region of Italy.
The Geneva Act came into force on February 26, 2020, after five countries had deposited their instruments of ratification. As of May 2021, there are 31 contracting parties to the treaty, including the European Union, which counts as a single party.
In conclusion, the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement is an important international treaty that extends the protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications worldwide. By establishing a simplified and accessible registration system and setting rules for the use of similar names, the Geneva Act helps to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and promote the unique cultural and economic value of geographical indications and appellations of origin.