Bulgaria Hosts 2009 Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Bulgarian Patent Office (BPO) jointly hosted the 2009 Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications in Sofia, Bulgaria, June 10 to 12, 2009.

According to BPO, the event gathered representatives of more than 40 countries, including WIPO representatives, BPO, producer associations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and delegates of national patent offices.

Newly elected director general of WIPO, Dr. Francis Gurry, attended the event as a special guest and officially closed the symposium.

Discussion topics included the following:

1. Review of existing international registers for geographical indications;
2. Role of geographical indications in preserving traditional knowledge and rural
   development;
3. Geographical indications in South-Eastern Europe;
4. System of protection of geographical indications and policy considerations
   (workshop of administrations);
5. Ways to develop the international legal framework for geographical indications.

Producers of goods also shared experiences in registering geographical indications for their products.

For more information, please contact Milena Bogoslovova in our Bulgaria Office.