First Geographical Indications Symposium Concludes in Abu Dhabi
13 Apr 2005ABU DHABI - The First Geographical Indications Symposium in the Arab region concluded its two-day activities on Wednesday with an immediate call for better protection for geographical indications in the Arab countries.
A comprehensive database, which includes all geographical indications in each country in the Arab world, is the first step that needs to be taken by governments in order to protect and promote their heritage and local products.
“We suggest that the Arab Society for Intellectual Property (ASIP) takes this enormous job, and offer all the assistance needed to the countries interested in establishing their own database,” ASIP Chairman Talal Abu-Ghazaleh said.
“ASIP will be preparing a draft for a model law based on international agreements and regulations, and will present it to officials in all Arab countries,” he added.
Abu-Ghazaleh pointed out that ASIP would encourage countries to join international agreements concerning geographical indications.
“Action should be taken to establish bilateral agreements between the Arab countries and the developed world concerning the transfer of data and information,” he added.
ASIP will form a division specializing in geographical indications.
“This division or committee will build the strategy concerning geographical indications in the Arab countries and encourage the issuing of laws and regulations,” he said.
One of the most important steps is to spread awareness concerning this vital issue.
“Many people don’t understand the importance of protecting geographical indications; that is why an awareness campaign should be organized in each country,” he pointed out.
Several issues were raised during the Symposium, which concentrated on administrative aspects more than on the laws themselves.
“The laws are clear and we believe there is nothing wrong with the laws but the procedures and the administrative bureaucracy behind the laws are the obstacles,” Syrian attorney Rabee Khashaneh said.
He added that the laws are made to protect geographical indications and not to delay the protection process.
Several case studies from Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and the United States, in addition to other countries, were presented.
Executive Director of Abu-Ghazaleh Legal Services (ABLE), Samer Pharaon, said that Arab countries have many cases related to geographical indications that need to be discussed.
“One of the best examples is Doan honey from Yemen (Doan is a famous valley in Hadramout area), Oman’s Halva, Sukary Al Qasim from Saudi Arabia, and Masafi from the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
Algeria is one of the two Arab countries that have joined the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin. It joined in 1972 and followed by Tunisia in 1973.
Meanwhile, the US presented Idaho famous potatoes and Florida orange juice with emphasis on the successful ways of promoting products.
The event, organized by the Arab Society for Intellectual Property (ASIP) and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and supported by Middle East Partnership Initiative, hosted experts in the fields of intellectual property, business, and law.
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