Senate approves project that ratifies Mercosur agreement on GIs

Summary:

On October 4, 2022, the Federal Senate of Brazil approved Project of Legislative Decree No. 165/2022, ratifying the Mercosur agreement on the protection of Geographical Indications (IGs). The agreement, signed in December 2019, aims to strengthen IGs within the Mercosur region. Key points of the agreement include the coexistence of IGs for the same product or service, as well as the possibility of coexistence with IGs from non-Mercosur countries. Additionally, the agreement prohibits the registration of IGs as trademarks for similar products or services in member countries, subject to certain conditions.