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.

The Committee on Legal Affairs adopted the report by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE) 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.

The committee responsible recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the Commission proposal.

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.

PURPOSE: to amend 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.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: 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.

Under Decision (EU) 2019/1754, the Commission is to be the Competent Authority referred to in the Geneva Act, responsible for the administration of the Geneva Act in the territory of the Union and for communications with the International Bureau of the WIPO under the Geneva Act and the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision aims at amending 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.

PURPOSE: to amend Decision (EU) 2019/1754 on the accession of the European Union to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on designations of origin and geographical indications.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: on 26 November 2019, the European Union acceded to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on designations of origin and geographical indications, with the accession entering into force on 26 February 2020. The Geneva Act itself entered into force on 26 February 2020.

On 13 April 2022, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products and amending Regulations (EU) 2007/1001 and (EU) 2019/1753 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decision (EU) 2019/1754.

Article 59 of the proposal on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products Regulation introduces an amendment to Council Decision (EU) 2019/1754 with the aim of establishing the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) as the Competent Authority under the Geneva Act of WIPO’s Lisbon Agreement in respect of craft and industrial products GIs.

In a similar vein, the proposal on the protection of craft and industrial products GIs introduces amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1753 so that the EUIPO is recognised as the Competent Authority under the Geneva Act in respect of international registrations related to geographical indications for craft and industrial products.

CONTENT: this proposal for a Council Decision aims to amend Council Decision (EU) 2019/1754 to establish the EUIPO as the Competent Authority under the Geneva Act in respect of geographical indications for craft and industrial products.