Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications: accession of the European Union

The European Parliament adopted by 613 votes to 6, with 9 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision amending Decision (EU) 2019/1754 on the accession of the European Union to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications.

In line with the recommendation of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Parliament gave its consent to the draft Council decision.

The Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration of 31 October 1958 is a treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). By virtue of Council Decision (EU) 2019/1754,  the Union acceded to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications with effect from 26 February 2020. The Geneva Act itself entered into force on 26 February 2020.

The draft Council Decision aims to amend Council Decision (EU) 2019/1754 in order to designate the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) as the Competent Authority referred to in the Geneva Act as regards geographical indications for craft and industrial products, and be responsible for the administration of the Geneva Act in the territory of the Union and for notifications and communications with the International Bureau of the WIPO under the Geneva Act and the Common Regulations.