National Institute of Intellectual Property
On March 4-5, an international seminar on "Legal protection of geographical indications and their role in the promotion of national brands" was held in Turkestan. The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Justice of the RK with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The seminar brought together representatives of government agencies, scientific and educational institutions, manufacturers and specialists to discuss the special role of geographical indications.
The seminar was opened by Mr. Azamat Eskaraev, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Alexandra Grazioli, Director of the Lisbon Register of the WIPO Brand Sector, and Mr. Darkhan Satybaldy, Akim of the Turkestan region, also addressed the participants with welcoming words. Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ms. Botagoz Zhakselekova acted as a moderator.
In her speech Sholpan Abdreeva, Director of the Department of Intellectual Property Rights of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized the socio-economic aspects of geographical indications. Deputy Director of the National Institute of Intellectual Property (NIIP) Aydyn Artykova spoke about the development of capacity in terms of registration of GIs in the Turkestan region and informed about the results of NIIP's work in this area and tasks for further improvement of activities. Gulnara Belgozhina , Head of the Department of Trademarks, GIs, NRMTs and Industrial Designs of Qazpatent, made a report on the procedure of registration of geographical indications in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
While the first day of the seminar was devoted to the experience of registration and use of geographical indications at the national level, the second day of the seminar was devoted to the conceptual objectives and issues of legal regulation of the use of geographical indications in the countries of Central Asia.
Representatives of the Association of Producers of Almaty Aport shared their experience in registration of GI "Almaty Aport", LLP "Balmuzdak" shared their experience in application and registration of GI "Turkestan Chocolate" and "Turkestan Ice Cream".
Chairman of the Chamber of Patent Attorneys of Kazakhstan Tagbergenova Modangul, representative of "Bolotov & Partners" LLP, "Shmidt&Orlov Intellectual Property" LLP, patent attorney Sakhipova Nargaisha also took part in the seminar.
Alexandra Grazioli, Director of the Lisbon Registry of the WIPO Brand Sector, made an online presentation on "Geographical Indications as a Tool for Promoting Quality Agricultural Products Domestically and Internationally" and illustrated the principle of their use on the example of different types of products produced in Member States around the world.
The experience of using geographical indications was presented by representatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Tajikistan (online), Republic of Uzbekistan. Head of Mission in Central Asia of Hilfswerk International Aslanov Umed told about sustainable methods and approaches to promote geographical indication systems in Central Asia.
It should be noted that within the framework of the seminar a two-day exhibition was held, where more than 50 national entrepreneurs from different regions presented their products. During the event the participants discussed the prospects of cooperation in the field of intellectual property protection, exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as increasing the recognition of goods and services, and the development of agro-industry in the regions.
To date, the regions of Kazakhstan, which have significant potential in the production of high quality food products and services, do not fully utilize the opportunities of the unique object of intellectual property - Geographical Indication. Globally, the GI has proved to be an effective tool to increase the recognition of goods and services, and the development of agro-industry in the regions.
