By Carlos Cavalcanti. Lawyer, Managing Partner at Moeller IP Brazil.
On January 5th, Brazilian PTO published the first edition of the Manual of Geographical Indications, which contains guidance and recommendations to users and examiners of the INPI, details on the procedures and examination guidelines, as well as technical definitions relevant to the matter.
The Manual aims to increase the quality, transparency, and uniformity of Geographical Indication examination practices and provides instructions for ordering, serving as a reference for examiners, prosecutors, and users in general.
The first edition of the Geographical Indications Manual enters into force on February 1st, 2021, and was made official by Administrative Rule INPI / PR nº 415, of December 24, 2020, published in the bulletin, Section I.
The publication of the Geographical Indications Manual takes place after a public consultation carried out between February 27 and May 27, 2020. INPI received 153 contributions from 11 participants, which were discussed and answered by the Standing Committee for Improvement of Examination Procedures and Guidelines (CPAPD).
