News

New registration of authorized Designations of Origin in Paraguay

On June 23, the National Directorate of Intellectual Property of Paraguay (DINAPI) communicated by means of an official notification the opening of a registration of prior users in the framework of the Association Agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union, and in relation to the following Geographical Indications: Parmesano, Parmesão, Reggianito, Fontina, Gruyère, Gruyere, Gruyerito, Gruyer, Manchego Cheese, Grana, Gorgonzola, Ginebra, Genebra, Steinhäger, Grappamiel, Grapamiel.

The regulations apply to prior uses in Paraguay as well as in other Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay).

Thus, DINAPI requires any individual or legal entity who is the user of any of the indicated designations to request their registration in the list of “prior users”.

The provision states that hereinafter the continuation of the use of such Designations of Origin will only be allowed for those who are registered in the list of authorized prior users, which will be made by the applicable authority for this purpose. Thus, those who are not registered must hereinafter refrain from using the indicated designations.

The period for requesting the registration ends on July 3, 2020.