Paraguay follows WIPO directions on GI’s and AO’s

By BKM | Berkemeyer

The National Director of Intellectual Property of Paraguay, Joel Talavera, presented the most recent advances regarding the regulation of Law Nº4.923 (2013) on Geographical Indications (GI) and Appellations of Origin (AO). The project, which includes the experience of several neighbor countries that use similar instruments, looks to follow recommendations from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for a better protection of Paraguay’s products, producers and exporters.

Representatives from IP, food, beverage and rural associations were present at the meeting, which discussed the importance of AO’s and GI’s in possible future commercial agreements.

As a member of the Mercosur, Paraguay is part of the long-delayed negotiation for a future European Union-Mercosur Association Agreement, which should provide a boost to regional trade integration but remains with significant obstacles, one of them related to a list of geographical indications that the EU wants recognised as part of the deal.