Italy has officially deposited its instrument of ratification for the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. This pivotal move, finalized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, marks a significant step forward in securing the international prestige and legal defense of Italian PDO and PGI products.
A new standard for global protection
The ratification, which will formally enter into force on October 14, 2026, modernizes the original 1958 Lisbon Agreement. While the previous framework focused solely on traditional denominations of origin, the Geneva Act broadens the scope to include all geographical indications. This evolution allows for a more comprehensive defense against imitations and misuse in international markets, providing a unified registration procedure that simplifies administrative efforts for producers.
Strategic value for the dairy sector
For the Italian agri-food industry, where the value of certified products reached 20.7 billion euros in 2024, this legal reinforcement is a key asset. The dairy sector, in particular, stands to benefit immensely. Iconic products such as Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, Grana Padano PDO, Fontina PDO, and Burrata di Andria PGI are frequently targets for trademark infringement and Italian Sounding practices. By joining this multilateral system, Italy provides its exporters with a stronger, more efficient framework to combat unauthorized use of their protected names worldwide.
The path forward
With this step, Italy consolidates its role within the Lisbon Union, ensuring that 166 Italian Geographical Indications receive enhanced legal backing. While this measure is not a universal panacea for global counterfeiting, it serves as a critical, strategic complement to bilateral trade agreements and the vigilant activities of industry protection consortia. The objective now shifts toward concrete implementation, fostering new registrations and supporting the expansion of this system to include more partner nations, thereby securing the future of high-quality Italian food exports.