EUIPO | Geographical Indications Conference 2025

Introduction

Join us for the Geographical Indications (GI) Conference titled “Safeguarding our Heritage, Cultivating our Future” on 28-29 January 2025. This hybrid event, organised by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in collaboration with the European Commission (the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, DG GROW, and the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, DG AGRI), will take place in person and online at the EUIPO headquarters in Alicante, Spain. The conference aims to address the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the field of geographical indications for craft and industrial as well as agricultural products.

Current state of play of Craft and Agricultural GIs

The Geographical Indications (GIs) landscape is currently undergoing significant changes. For craft GIs, the introduction of the new EU Regulation on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products (CIGIR) marks a pivotal moment. Published on 27 October 2023 and entering into force on 16 November 2023, this legislation will allow producers to apply for GI protection from 1 December 2025. The EUIPO plays a crucial role in this new system, managing registrations and maintaining IT tools, such as the GIview database. Similarly, agricultural GIs are also undergoing transformative changes due to new legislation aimed at improving protection and streamlining the registration process. The entry into force and operational impact on the GI landscape will be explored at the conference.

The work of the European Commission and EUIPO on GIs

Over the years, the European Commission has been instrumental in developing and enhancing the system for geographical indications. The Commission’s efforts have focused on protecting the unique qualities of products linked to specific geographical origins, thereby promoting heritage, authenticity, and rural development. The introduction of comprehensive regulations for both agricultural and craft GIs is a testament to this ongoing commitment.

The collaboration between the European Commission and the EUIPO has been particularly effective. The EUIPO, since being designated as the competent authority for managing GIs for craft and industrial products, has developed several initiatives to support this framework. These include not just awareness raising but also the development of IT tools like the GIportal, the Union Register for GIs, and the GIview database. The EUIPO also engages in international cooperation, promoting GI systems in regions such as China, India, Latin America, and Africa.

This joint effort has led to the creation of a robust system that not only protects GIs within the EU but also facilitates their international registration through agreements like the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement. The synergy between the Commission and the EUIPO ensures a streamlined, efficient, and transparent process for GI protection, benefitting producers and consumers alike.

More information attached or on the EUIPO’s website!