With the mind in the EU, Paraguay promotes distinctive signs for its products

By Berkemeyer Attorneys & Counselors

The National Office of Intellectual Property of Paraguay (Dinapi) held an information meeting focused on the ongoing negotiations for a bi-regional Association Agreement between the European Union (EU) and members of Mercosur (Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay).

During the meeting authorities of Dinapi highlighted the importance that distinctive signs may have for local producers that want to place and market their products in the European community, specially producers from the dairy, farming and livestock industries. Dinapi has been actively working with various industrial sectors that present differentiating elements in their products with the purpose of strengthening Paraguayan productivity and economy.

Authorities explained that collective marks, geographical indications and appellations of origin can benefit producers as a differentiation tool that showcases the quality of their products. It can also benefit rural areas by stimulating more development, helping sustain the production and improving its socio-cultural context.

Collective marks are usually defined as signs which distinguish the geographical origin, material, mode of manufacture or other common characteristics of goods or services of different enterprises using the collective mark. Appellations of origin are a special kind of geographical indication, being the difference between the two that the link with the place of origin must be stronger in the case of an appellation of origin.