site.btaGeographical Indications Conference to Be Held in Spain on January 28-29

A geographical indications conference on "Safeguarding our Heritage, Cultivating our Future" will be held in Alicante, Spain, on February 28 and 29, the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria said on Monday. The forum will be held in a hybrid format at the headquarters of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Registration for the conference is now open.

On the programme are presentations by experts, such as EUIPO Executive Director Joao Negrao and MEP Marion Walsmann. To be discussed are the challenges and opportunities related to geographical indications for craft, industrial, and agricultural products.

The sessions, organized jointly by EUIPO and the European Commission, will present the importance of geographical indications for increasing products' reputation, value, and positive effect on local businesses as well the latest legislative changes, measures for stronger protection and important updates in the registration process. Also to be presented are various views on how geographical indications help build consumer trust and, by certifying the origin and production process of a given product, allow consumers to make better information-based decisions.

Geographical indications establish intellectual property rights for specific products, such as wine, cheese, and craft products, the qualities of which are specifically linked to the area of production. Only products that are linked to the area in question and meet the established production standards can use that specific name, which protect cultural heritage while also promoting economic growth and consumer trust, the press release reads.