Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Rangnekar, Dwijen
Author-Email: d.rangnekar@warwick.ac.uk
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Warwick
Title: Demanding Stronger Protection for Geographical Indications: The Relationship between Local Knowledge,
	 Information and Reputation 
Abstract: Unlike patents and intellectual property rights in plant genetic material, TRIPs negotiations concerning
	 geographical indications have not entered wider public imagination. However, TRIPs negotiations in this
	 area have been and continue to be contentious. One area of contention is the explicit hierarchy in the
	 level of protection, whereby indications for wines and spirits are offered stronger protection through
	 Article 23 that indications for other products through Article 22. Demandeurs, which include many
	 developing and transition countries, want a removal of this hierarchy with other products being offered
	 protection similar to indications of wines and spirits. The paper critically reviews one aspect of the
	 debate on GI-extension at the TRIPs Council: the comparison between Article 22 and Article 23. It presents
	 a theoretical basis for analysing the rationale for protecting GIs in terms of local knowledge,
	 informational asymmetries and the role of reputation.
Keywords: Intellectual Property Rights, Indigenous Knowledge, Geographical Indications, TRIPs
Series: Discussion Paper
Creation-Date: 2004
Number: 11
File-URL: http://www.intech.unu.edu/publications/discussion-papers/2004-11.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 282 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unuint:200411