Abstract
Geographical Indications (GIs) are names of regions, specific places or, in exceptional cases, countries, used to describe an agricultural product or a foodstuff (EC 510/2006, Art. 2). They have received much attention in recent years not only at the European level, where they stem from, but also at different international forums such as at the World Trade Organization (wto). Being a particular form of intellectual property, these certification schemes have the potential to be applied also to non-agrifood commodities or even services. Furthermore, due to the grave menace of biodiversity loss caused by globalization, GIs could serve as a tool to promote biodiversity if linked to plant varieties or animal species in danger of disappearance. It seems that at European level these issues are gathering momentum. For this reason, the purpose of this paper is to support new interpretations regarding GI legislation. In the remainder of this paper, the authors will present a short description of GIs as they have been discussed at different international forums. Also, the innovative implementation of GIs in Ecuador will be illustrated by means of two examples: the Sombrero of Montecristi and the cacao Nacional Arriba. Based on these examples we trace possible scenarios of GI implementation in a particular type of service economy such as food tourism. In the final part, some conclusions will be presented.
Highlights
The World Intellectual Property Organisation defines Geographical Indications (GIs) as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin”
The article is structured into two main sections: while in the first part we illustrate the recent tendencies of the GI debate by means of the examples mentioned afore, in the second part we explore the possibility to extend GI-protection to tourism services and we focus our analysis on the route of cacao Nacional “Arriba”
Historical documents dating back to the Spanish colonization legitimize human factors whilst the biological sources refer to the location
Summary
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (wipo) defines Geographical Indications (GIs) as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin” (www. wipo.int/geo_indications/en/). The GI is known as the “Appellation of Origin” and in order to be used, it must be shown that the product has exceptional qualities over other similar products, and that these qualities or attributes are due to human and/or natural factors associated exclusively to the geographical area where this good is produced. Because natural factors such as climate, soil and altitude are so important in the constitution of a GI right it is mostly agricultural and livestock products that have benefitted from this protection. The article is structured into two main sections: while in the first part we illustrate the recent tendencies of the GI debate by means of the examples mentioned afore, in the second part we explore the possibility to extend GI-protection to tourism services and we focus our analysis on the route of cacao Nacional “Arriba”
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
