INPI Brazil Explores Lisbon Agreement for Geographical Indications

On 8 February, the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) met with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to discuss the North American perspective on the Lisbon Agreement.

The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that provides for the international protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications through a single procedure. Its purpose is to simplify the recognition and protection of products with a specific geographical origin and a reputation linked to that area.

This meeting may hint that Brazil could become a member of the Lisbon Agreement in the future. To date, only Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Peru are members of this agreement in Latin America, so Brazil's possible accession could have a significant impact on the region in terms of IP cooperation.