Geographical Indications Law in Armenia
Geographical Indications (GIs) Law in Armenia
Geographical Indications (GIs) in Armenia are governed by national legislation aligned with international agreements, particularly the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Armenia's commitments under the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
1. Legal Framework
a. Main Law
Law on Geographical Indications (2018)
Armenia enacted a dedicated Law on Geographical Indications in 2018, modernizing its legal framework for GIs and replacing older laws concerning appellations of origin.
b. Regulatory Authority
The Intellectual Property Agency of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia is responsible for:
Registration of GIs and appellations of origin
Administration of GI databases
Examination of applications
2. Types of Protected Designations
Armenian law distinguishes between:
Geographical Indications (GIs) – names indicating a product's origin and associated qualities or reputation
Appellations of Origin (AOs) – stricter form of GI, requiring all production steps to occur in the defined geographical area
3. Requirements for Registration
To register a GI in Armenia, the following must be established:
The name of the geographical location
The product type
Evidence of linkage between quality/reputation and geographical origin
The production specifications, including methods, ingredients, etc.
The defined geographical area
Applicants can include:
Producer groups
Associations
Public authorities
4. Protection and Enforcement
Once registered, GIs are protected against:
Misuse or imitation of the name
Unfair competition
Use of misleading terms like “style,” “type,” or “method”
Enforcement can be pursued through:
Administrative actions by the Intellectual Property Agency
Civil court proceedings
Customs controls to prevent import/export of infringing goods
5. Famous Armenian GIs
Some well-known examples of Armenian geographical indications include:
Ararat Brandy
Areni Wine
Lori Cheese
Gavar Trout
These products have unique characteristics tied to Armenia’s geography, traditional know-how, and cultural heritage.
6. International Protection
Armenia protects its GIs abroad through:
Bilateral and multilateral agreements (e.g., CEPA with the EU)
Membership in WIPO’s Lisbon Agreement (for AOs)
WTO TRIPS compliance
7. Recent Developments
Armenia has been working on:
Enhancing the value chain for GI products
Promoting awareness among producers
Seeking mutual recognition of GIs with trading partners
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