An new group has been formed through the Arab League: the Arab Society for Geographical Indications (ASGI).
This society seeks to protect Arab products through international intellectual property agreements, namely TRIPS.
TRIPS, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, a World Trade Organization agreement, defines Geographical Indicators in Article 22:
“indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.”
Some example items:
Doan honey from
Mocha coffee from
Masafi from the
Olive oil soap from
Water from al Feejah spring in
Lebanese tabbouleh
Argan oil from morocco
These discussions of geographical indicators are always interesting because they embody examples of resistance to cultural appropriation, but this resistance is trying to be accomplished within the western paradigm of naming, owning, and individuating. I am always reminded as well, that although cyberspace connects us, in many ways our identities are still tied to place, topos, literally real property. I also find these discussions interesting because when I read the “origins” of items I am familiar with, my reaction is always: “I never knew that came from there”!
A full story on this topic is located in the Intellectual Property Watch
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