Andean Community Unveils First List of Geographical Indications to Protect Intellectual Property
By Vera Abogados
The General Secretariat of the Andean Community has presented the first edition of the List of Geographical Indications of the Andean Community, which includes 52 products originating from the Andean subregion. To date, Colombia has 29 products with a geographical indication; Bolivia, 5; Ecuador, 7; and Peru, 11.
A geographical indication is a key figure in intellectual property, as it refers to products whose quality, reputation, or other characteristics are wholly or essentially attributable to the geographical environment in which they are produced, and they take the name of the place from which they come.
The Andean subregion, with more than 114 million citizens, is a diverse and multicultural area, boasting traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, as well as a great diversity of natural products and climatic conditions.
The Secretary General of the Andean Community, Ambassador Gonzalo Gutiérrez, highlighted that the publication of the list is part of the efforts being made by the Member Countries of the Andean Community to strengthen the tools that protect intellectual property rights in the Andean subregion.
The Andean Community, through Decision 486, has established a legal framework that protects these designations in Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
"This is the first time that we have brought together in a single document the first 52 geographical indications that exist in the four Andean countries. It is important to know how products that are original, that have a geographical link, with the land or with a specific production method, are being protected," he said.
These designations, in addition to representing a seal of quality, also support trade and production networks involving micro and small producers, as well as large industries. The complete list is available on the Andean Community website.
You can access the list here.