Peru appeals Thailand’s decision regarding pisco AO

By Espinosa Bellido Abogados

The Court of First Instance in Intellectual Property and International Trade of Thailand recently recognized Pisco as a Chilean Appellation of Origin (AO) in that country. Although the decision doesn’t grants Chile the exclusive right to the use of Pisco as an AO in Thailand, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be appealing the ruling. 

“Peru considers that this first decision of the Thailand Court does lead to consumer confusion in that country, since the Pisco Denomination of Origin is Peruvian and this is confirmed by the historical, geographical, cultural and scientific arguments that our country supports and defends in all the world’s courts”, the Ministry stated in a press release on September 27, 2019.

The Peruvian AO of pisco is recognized by 70 countries around the world, and such recognition responds “for the quality of the country’s flagship drink”, Peru's Exports and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru) affirmed. On December 20, 2018, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board of India recognized the exclusive right of Peru over Pisco Appellation of Origin (AO) in that country.