Between On July 12 and 14, Cuzco (Peru) will host an international seminar on geographical indications and designations of origin in the Andean Community.. This event was organized by the IP Key Latin America project, in collaboration with the National Institute for the Defense of Market Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property of Peru (Indecopi).

The IP Key Latin America intellectual property project is led by the European Commission and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (Euipo). The Ecuadorian delegation will attend the event.

According to the organizers, various events will be held during the three days:

The ultimate goal of the event is to contribute to improving the protection of Geographical Indications (GI) in the countries of the Andean Community, to transfer the multiple benefits of the protection of geographical origin to producers, consumers and society, as well as to conduct a reflection exercise with producers to strengthen their management.

Per Ecuador will be attended by María José Bucheli, delegate of the National Industrial Property Administration (Senadi); Édison Quishpe, President of the Miska Regulatory Council; and Wilson Gabriel Cruz, President of the Association of Producers and Marketers of Pitahaya and Other Palora Products.

Designations of origin (DO) and geographical indications (GI) are intellectual property tools that play a key role in preserving the authenticity and quality of recognized emblematic products, both nationally and internationally, while contributing to the socio-economic development of production regions.

Ecuador has a wide variety of products with GI and DO, which reflect the diversity of its territory and the ancestral traditions of its communities. Its products are distinguished by their unique characteristics and close relationship with their places of origin. Among other things, Ecuador has:

In accordance with Carlos Azorín, project manager, “IP Key Latin America is a platform for cooperation between the European Union and Latin America, and is essential for the promotion and protection of geographical indications and designations of origin in Latin America”. He also assured: “Through technical cooperation, we seek to promote commercial relations between both sides and appreciate these indications, which have a great impact on the economic, social and cultural levels.”

Those who wish to participate in the event can register at https://euipo.blumm.it/event/ar/668/ip-key-la-geographical-indications-andean-countries-challenges-opportunities.