At its forty-second (26th ordinary) session, the Assembly of the Lisbon Union adopted amendments to the modifications under Rule 15 of the Common Regulations. This update ensures that international registrations remain accurate and up to date.
New Categories of Modifications
With this update, three new categories of modifications are now available:
- modifications relating to the appellation of origin or geographical indication itself
- modifications relating to the goods to which the appellation of origin and geographical indication applies
- modifications relating to quality, reputation, or other characteristics, as well as related information under Rule 5(3)(a) and Rule 5(6)(a)(vi)
When modifications concern the appellation of origin or geographical indication, the goods, or particulars under Rule 5(3)(a), Competent Authorities may declare their inability to ensure protection based solely on the change, within one year of notification.
For further details, download Information Notice No. 5/2026
Find out more
Background information concerning the amendments can be found in document LI/A/42/2 of the Lisbon Union Assembly.
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)