On March 31, 2026, the Government of the Bulgaria deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (“Geneva Act”).
With this accession, the Geneva Act now offers protection in 27 Contracting Parties covering up to 61 countries, while the Lisbon System covers up to 73 countries in total.
This accession will allow Bulgaria to protect both its appellations of origin and geographical indications under the Geneva Act, such as the renowned BULGARSKO ROZOVO MASLO (Bulgarian rose oil), BULGARSKO KISELO MLYAKO (Bulgarian yogurt), or TROJANSKA KERAMICA (Trojan ceramics), to name only a few.
The Geneva Act will enter into force with respect to Bulgaria on June 30, 2026.
About the Geneva Act
The Geneva Act helps producers of quality products, linked to origin, to protect the distinctive designations of their products in multiple jurisdictions, either as appellations of origin or geographical indications, through a single application filed with WIPO, and the payment of one set of fees.
About the Lisbon System
The Lisbon System provides protection for names that identify the geographic origin of products such as coffee, tea, fruits, cheese, wine, pottery, glass and cloth.
Examples of appellations of origin and geographical indications
- Kampot Pepper (Cambodia)
- Comté (France)
- Tokaj (Hungary)
- Sarough Handmade Carpet (Iran)
- Tequila (Mexico)
- Porto (Portugal)
- Chulucanas (Peru)
- Banano de Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
- Grana Padano (Italy)
- Bohemia Crystal (Czech Republic)
- Figue de Djebba (Tunisia)