Dr. Charlene Musiza Delivers Guest Lecture on Geographical Indications in Africa

On 15 October 2024, Charlene Musiza delivered a guest lecture as part of the LLM IP Law, Development, and Innovation course, convened by Associate Professor Tobias Schonwetter. Her lecture focused on the role and development of geographical indications (GIs) in Africa.

Charlene began by identifying the key functions of GIs, explaining the international and regional legal frameworks that govern their use. She led students through a discussion of the various legal mechanisms available for protecting GIs in Africa, emphasizing the overlapping systems used in different countries. These include sui generis laws, consumer protection laws, and trademark laws.

The lecture also explored the GI landscape in South Africa, where Charlene highlighted the protection provided by various legislative frameworks. She discussed the country’s hybrid approach to GI protection and how South African products benefit from recognition in the EU under Protocol 3 of the EU-South Africa Economic Partnership Agreement.

Charlene then expanded the discussion to the broader African context, tracing the development of GIs over the past two decades. She highlighted efforts to identify and register GIs across the continent and the importance of capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance in establishing robust GI systems.

To illustrate the effective functioning of GIs, Charlene presented case studies of existing GIs in Africa. She examined their strengths and challenges, focusing on aspects such as product typicality, governance structures, and the value chain or market linkages.

In conclusion, Charlene underscored key policy considerations for African nations in establishing GI systems. While GIs can offer significant benefits—such as promoting sustainable rural development, enhancing food security, fostering local markets, boosting tourism, and preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity—she emphasized that inclusivity must be prioritized from the very beginning for these benefits to be fully realized.

Did you know?

‘Karoo Lamb / Karoo Lam’  was registered as a GI in South Africa in 2023,  see Western Cape Provincial Government 'GI registration of Karoo Lamb brings promise of financial and reputational benefits to Karoo Region' 30 October 2023.