On the 5th of September 2023, the Republic of Senegal officially became a party to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (Geneva Act). This accession was formalised when Senegal deposited its instrument of accession with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

As a result of this accession, the Geneva Act now extends its protection to 20 Contracting Parties, encompassing as many as 57 countries, while the Lisbon System, in total, covers 72 countries. Senegal’s accession to the Geneva Act will facilitate an expedited and straightforward process for producers and other interested parties in Senegal to attain international protection for the unique designations of their origin-based products.

MADRID PROTOCOL FEES REVISED

Pursuant to the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the DirectorGeneral of the World Intellectual Property Organization on the 12th of September 2023 announced the revised individual fees applicable where the European Union is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

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