In the context of the ongoing negotiations between Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA*), the Paraguayan and Uruguayan Industrial Property offices have circulated the list of geographical indications and appellations of origin provided by EFTA with a view to their protection in Mercosur.
Considering that such protection would involve granting exclusive rights to certain right holders, the list is being circulated so that any interested party, whether an individual or a legal entity, has the opportunity to express its objections. Potential grounds for objecting would be that the name in question is used as a generic or descriptive designation, that it is identical or similar to a registered trademark, is deceitful or misleading, etc.
*EFTA is formed by non-UE members Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
