Historical Background of the Lisbon Agreement

09 Des Historical Background of the Lisbon Agreement

The Lisbon Agreement, also known as the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, is an international treaty that seeks to protect appellations of origin worldwide.

The agreement was first signed in 1958 in Lisbon, Portugal, by a group of countries who saw the need to protect their local and regional products from imitation and misuse. The original signatories included countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, who were known for producing high-quality products that were often imitated and sold as inferior products by competitors.

The Lisbon Agreement aims to protect appellations of origin, which are defined as the geographical names of a region, place or locality that is used to identify products that originate from that area. For example, Champagne is a famous appellation of origin for a sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France.

The agreement provides a legal framework for protecting appellations of origin by allowing for their international registration and recognition. This means that a product that is registered as an appellation of origin in one country can be protected in other countries that are signatories to the agreement.

Over the years, the Lisbon Agreement has grown in scope, with more countries joining as signatories. Currently, there are 30 signatories to the agreement, including the United States, China, Russia, and Japan. The agreement has also been updated several times to reflect changes in technology and globalization.

One of the notable updates to the agreement was made in 1967, which allowed for the registration of appellations of origin for non-agricultural products, such as textiles and handicrafts. Another significant update was made in 1999, which added provisions for the protection of geographical indications, which are similar to appellations of origin, but cover a broader range of products.

Today, the Lisbon Agreement remains an essential tool for protecting the quality and reputation of local and regional products around the world. It continues to provide a legal framework for the registration and recognition of appellations of origin and geographical indications, allowing countries to protect their unique products from imitations and abuse. As the global market continues to expand, the Lisbon Agreement will undoubtedly continue to play a crucial role in protecting the intellectual property rights of producers and ensuring the quality and authenticity of the products we consume.