ABSTRACT
It has been noted that GIs share a number of the characteristics of traditional knowledge (TK) as they both ‘protect accumulated knowledge typical to a specific locality” (Panizzon 2006: ch.2.1; Blakeney 2009). In its Review of Existing Intellectual Property Protection of Traditional Knowledge, the Secretariat of the Inter-governmental Committee (IGC) established by WIPO observed:
Geographical Indications as defined by Article 22.1 of the TRIPS Agreement and appellations of origin, as defined by Article 2 of the Lisbon Agreement … rely not only on their geographical connotation but also, essentially on human and/or natural factors (which may have generated a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good). In practice, human and/or natural factors are the result of traditional, standard techniques which local communities have developed and incorporated into production. Goods designated and differentiated by geographical indications, be they wines, spirits, cheese, handicrafts, watches, silverware and others, are as much expressions of local cultural and community identification as other elements of traditional knowledge can be.
(WIPO/IGC 2002: para 40)