With the Presence of International Experts from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
MCI concluded the workshop on Trade Geographical Indications in Riyadh during the period, 3-4 November 2014 AD, in collaboration between MCI World Trade Services Center and the World Trade Organization, presented by international experts in the field of world trade from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the participation of (45) participants from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the employees of the government and private sectors.
The importance of protecting the geographical indications of each country had been highlighted, with the definition of what the countries can gain from protecting the geographical indications, to be of added value in the country's economy.
It is well known that each country is proud of having geographical indications, which are considered as treasures that Allah has granted such country in its territory, or its citizens contributed in making such indications famous because of their abilities and creative talents. With the development of world trade, these indications have acquired high commercial value, where the products, bearing such indications, would acquire added value.
MCI has started the preparation of a draft of the Geographical Indications Law to prevent the natural and legal persons from using the National Geographical Indications unlawfully, and to benefit from the protection offered by the Commercial Aspects Agreement related to Intellectual Property Rights in the World Trade Organization, which stipulated that the geographical indications should be protected in the country of origin, to benefit from the protection provided by such agreement.
The draft of National Geographical indications Law aims at protecting those indications, as an important aspect of the intellectual property rights, and the protection of the national products, which are famous in the Kingdom`s Regions, and that are considered as geographical indications having close relation with the places of production, and the Kingdom is considered the geographical origin of such products, and also to prevent the exploitation of such famous and well known products by unauthorized persons or any other parties, or copying or counterfeiting such products in a manner to mislead the consumers about the true and real origin of these products, and to stop any harmful effects on the owners who have the right to produce these commodities.
This comes within series of workshops held by MCI in collaboration with World Organizations specialized in WT issues, in order to raise the level of awareness and knowledge of international trade aspects and how to take advantage of related international agreements.