ARIPO registers goat breed as first GI; EUIPO launches GI search tool
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has registered its first geographical indication (GI), in the same week that the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) launched a new search database.
On Monday, November 23, Mozambique officially launched the newly created GI Cabrito de Tete, which has become the first GI registered in ARIPO.
Cabrito de Tete is a local goat breed, from Tete province in Mozambique. The province of Tete has a goat population of about 300,000 animals.
“Thanks to the registered geographical indication, Cabrito de Tete will be commercialised under strict standards, which include breeding and processing rules. It will also ease access to national and international markets, highlight its GI reputation, and protect local goat meat producers,” said the EUIPO, which supported the registration.
Carlos Mesquita, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Mozambique, said: “The launch of the commercial test of the Cabrito de Tete represents an indelible milestone in the history of industrial property in Mozambique. It marks the beginning of the effective use of the GIs system in Mozambique as a strategic tool for adding value to typical national products.”
The registration was also supported by AfrIPI, the first-ever African cooperation project focusing on IP rights, for which the EUIPO is the implementing agency.
In September, WIPR reported that the cooperation project had discussed and approved its overall plan and future activities, which included its support of the registration of GI in Africa and the EU.
New GI database
The EUIPO has also launched GIview, a new search database for all GIs protected at EU level. It also contains information on non-EU geographical indications protected at EU level through bilateral and multilateral agreements, and on EU geographical indications protected in non-EU countries.
According to research by the EUIPO and the European Patent Office, industries intensive in GI rights support nearly 400,000 jobs across the EU, and contribute over €20 billion ($23.801 billion) to the EU’s gross domestic product.
Christian Archambeau, executive director of the EUIPO, said: “GIs not only guarantee quality, but also create value and support jobs across our union. They are an important IP right which help to sustain our European traditions, heritage and way of life.”
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