At a diplomatic conference, delegates from WIPO member states have adopted the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. The Geneva Act allows the international registration of geographical indications, in addition to that of appellations of origin, and permits accession to the Lisbon Agreement by certain intergovernmental organisations. It also covers issues such as fees, protection against indications and appellations becoming generic, and safeguards relating to prior conflicting trade mark rights. However, it remains contentious, with the US in particular complaining that it is not compatible with trade mark systems and that those WIPO members who were not party to the Lisbon Agreement did not have a say in the contents of the Act.

The Act will be signed on 21 May 2015 and will enter into force three months after five eligible parties have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession.

Sources: WIPO announcement and US statement, 20 May 2015.