The conference was organized by the Intellectual Property Office in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the Slovenian Tourism Organization and key international partners such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Union Office for Intellectual Property and European Commission.
The event brought together more than 250 participants, including representatives of national and international institutions, manufacturers and experts in the field of geographical indications and collective marks. Discussions and panels shed light on best practices, challenges and opportunities in this area and presented the achievements of Slovenian and international producers.
The conference was opened by the director of the Intellectual Property Office, mag. Karin Žvokelj, who in her introductory speech emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the value and use of geographical indications and collective marks. “These rights are not just legal protection, but a key capital that the holders must nurture, use and ennoble,” she said. She explained that in Slovenia, we are proud of the long-standing tradition of using geographical indications, but we still make insufficient use of it, especially in the field of non-food products, where Idrija lace and pond dry edge are currently registered.
Later, the Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sports Matjaž Han addressed the gathering. In his speech, he emphasized the strategic importance of intellectual property for the development of the economy and society. “Geographical indications and collective marks play an indispensable role in protecting our local resources and traditions. They ensure the quality and authenticity of the products, which not only strengthens consumer confidence, but also provides access to new markets,” said Minister Han.
The executive director of the European Union Office for Intellectual Property, João Negrão, emphasized the importance of common European solutions in the field of protection of geographical indications, especially with the introduction of new legislation for craft and industrial products.
The two-day program included a series of panel discussions and presentations addressing key topics such as the protection of geographical indications in the food and non-food industry, the role of collective marks in tourism and gastronomy, and best practices in the field of protecting these rights.
The participants also had the opportunity to visit an exhibition of products with a protected geographical indication and an exhibition of lace, which highlight the rich cultural heritage and quality craftsmanship from Slovenia and abroad.
The conclusions of the conference emphasized the need for further cooperation between national and international stakeholders for even more effective protection and promotion of geographical indications and collective marks. The event was also an opportunity to exchange best practices and establish new connections that will contribute to the development of this field in the future.
Source:
Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.si/novice/2024-11-28-mednarodna-konferenca-o-geografskih-oznacbah-in-kolektivnih-znamkah-uspesno-zakljucena/
