Geographical Indications Conference 2025:
Safeguarding our Heritage, Cultivating our Future
28-29 January 2025, European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Alicante & online
Join us for the Geographical Indications (GI) Conference on 28-29 January 2025 that 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. The conference will be attended by representatives of ECA also in their capacity of Craft & Industrial Geographical Indications Expert Working Group led and managed by ECA and the Fédération Française des Indications Géographiques Industrielles et Artisanales (FFIGIA).
The event gives a unique opportunity for a wide range of experts from across the globe to share their views and exchange on the practices of the national competent authorities dealing with GIs and other institutions (EU and non-EU). They will also address experiences and future perspectives from the agri- and craft-GI beneficiaries and discuss the challenges they face to defend their rights.
Speakers include: João Negrão, Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO); Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, European Commission; Marion Walsmann, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs in the European Parliament and former rapporteur on CIGIs; Martine Pinville, Alternate in the Committee of Regions and former rapporteur on CIGIs; Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General, Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins; Audrey Aubard, General Secretary, Fédération Française des Indications Géographiques Industrielles et Artisanales; Kieran Molloy, Director, Molloy & Sons Weaving Limited, Donegal Tweed; Cristina Mendes, Deputy Director, CEARTE (Crafts Professional Training Center) & vice-president of European Crafts Alliance; Laura Miguel Baumann, Secretary General, European Crafts Alliance; and many more.
This hybrid event is 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).
More information and registration>>
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.
photo: EUIPO