Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications

Budapest – October 20 to 22, 2015

The 2015 edition of the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications jointly organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO), will take place in Budapest from October 20 to 22, 2015, at the Hotel Intercontinental.

WIPO

Ms. Aurélie Lugrin
Telephone: + 41 22 338 9440
Facsimile: + 41 22 338 8745
E-mail: aurelie.lugrin@wipo.int

Ms. Margarita Marcel de Griffiths
Telephone: + 41 22 338 7363
Facsimile: + 41 22 338 8745
E-mail: margarita.marceldegriffiths@wipo.int

HIPO

Ms. Judit Jakab
Telephone: +36 1 474 5773
Facsimile: +36 1 331 6596
E-mail: judit.jakab@hipo.gov.hu

Ms. Ágnes Kincses
Telephone: +36 1 474 5547
Facsimile: +36 1 331 6596
E-mail: agnes.kincses@hipo.gov.hu

Program

The Symposium is a forum for the exchange of ideas and views on various issues relating to the use and protection of geographical indications (GIs). The program will offer insights into recent developments in geographical indications at the national and international levels and cover socio-economic and institutional aspects of GIs.

Excursion

An excursion to the Pannonhalma Archabbey and to the Herend Porcelain Manufactory will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2015. The Pannonhalma Archabbey is the most notable landmark in Pannonhalma and one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary. The abbey produces different white and red wines, liqueurs, a brandy (pálinka), herbal teas, soaps, etc. Some of them are protected using geographical indications. A lunch is planned in a restaurant belonging to the abbey.

Herend is a small town famous for its porcelain (which benefits from a protected geographical indication in Hungary, also registered under the Lisbon Agreement). The Herend Porcelain Manufactory is a Hungarian Company specializing in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain.

Coaches will depart from the Intercontinental Hotel at 8.00 a.m. The return to Budapest is expected at approximately 8.00pm. Participants in the excursion are advised to wear casual clothing and comfortable shoes.

Participants who wish to take part in the excursion are kindly requested to fill in the relevant part of the registration form on line before October 9, 2015.

Practical information

Badges, working languages

Badges will be available on-site at the registration counter on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, from 12.30 to 14.00.

The working languages of the Symposium will be English and French with simultaneous interpretation.

Accommodation

Participants should make their own accommodation arrangements. All bills are to be settled directly with the hotel.

Recommended hotels

Entry visa

Most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Hungary. Foreign participants who do need a Hungarian entry visa should contact the Embassy or Consulate of Hungary in their respective countries. To obtain the details of your closest Hungarian embassy or consulate, please visit the following Embassy Information website.

Detailed information on the procedure and the required documents to apply for a visa are available on the following consular services website.

To obtain an official letter for visa application, or in case you have difficulties in obtaining a Hungarian entry visa, you may request assistance from the following person at the HIPO:

Mr. Attila Péteri
E-mail: attila.peteri@hipo.gov.hu
Telephone: +36 1 474 5775

Local time, climate, currency, electricity

The local time for Budapest is Hungarian Standard Time, which is GMT (UTC) plus two hours.

The autumn in Budapest is generally characterized by little rain and long sunny days with moderate temperatures ranging between 7 and 16 degrees Celsius.

Hungarian’s local currency is the Forint (HUF). The exchange rate is approximately 1EUR = 310.35 Hungarian Forint (subject to change). Many places accept Euro.

The electric power provided in Budapest is 230 V, 50Hz AC.

Local transport

An Airport Shuttle Minibus service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a boarding capacity of 8 to 10 passengers. Buses start every 10 minutes to any location in Budapest and are similar to a door-to-door taxi service.

Taxis (Főtaxi ), may be taken directly at the taxis rank, or reservations can be made at the Főtaxi booths located at the exits to Terminal 2A and 2B. A ride to the city center should cost around 7000 HUF (25 EUR), depending on the traffic conditions.

Further information on public transport.

Security

Although Hungary and Budapest are safe places, the usual security precautions should be observed.

It is recommended to avoid the use of informal taxi services. Recommended taxis companies are:

Főtaxi: +36 1 222 2222
City Taxi: +36 1 211 1111
Taxi 2000: +36 1 200 0000