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A Critical Analysis of the Legal Framework of Geographical Indications in Mauritius

Ireena Kanhye (LL.B (Hons))

University of Mauritius

Faculty of Law and Management

Department of Law

ireena.kanhye2@umail.uom.ac.mu

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�Research Question & Aim of Study�

To what extent are geographical indications protected under the local provisions?

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Aim: To evaluate the provisions of the recently enacted IPA 2019 with regards to the protection of GIs in Mauritius which is a SIDS.

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Objectives�

  • To examine the scope of protection afforded to GIs by local legal framework in absence of a legislation in force.
  • To analyse the IPA with respect to the standards set internationally with regards to GIs.
  • To critically evaluate the challenges faced by Mauritius as a SIDS in the protection of GIs.
  • To investigate into potential recommendations that can be put forward to ensure an effective protection of GIs in Mauritius.

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Terminology: Briefly Explained

  • Geographical Indications
    • Appelations of Origins
    • Indications of Source

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The International Protection of GIs

Treaties in force in Mauritius

Body

Treaty

Signature

Instrument

In Force

Local

Legislation

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WIPO

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Paris

Convention*

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Accession:

June 21 1976

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September

24, 1976

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PIDTA

WIPO

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WIPO

Convention

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Accession:

June 21, 1976

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September

21, 1976

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PIDTA

WTO

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Marrakesh

Agreement

establishing the

WTO

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15 April

1994

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1 January

1995

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PIDTA

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The International Protection of GIs (Cont’d)

Body

Treaty

Signature

Instrument

In Force

Local

Legislation

WIPO

Madrid 1

(1891)*

Through the

Paris

Convention

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PIDTA/ IPA

WIPO

Madrid 2

(1891)*

Through the

Paris

Convention

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PIDTA/ IPA

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The Current Legal Framework in Mauritius

  • Geographical Indications Act 2002
  • Protection against Unfair Practices (Industrial Property Rights) Act 2002
  • Industrial Property Act 2019

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The Complexities of the Mauritian Context

  • Unproclaimed legislations : the GIA 2002, IPA 2019
    • Little State-backed protection of GIs

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    • Dualist nature of the Mauritius legal system
      • State sovereignty
      • Ineffectiveness of international treaties

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The Complexities of the Mauritian Context (Cont’d)

  • Private collective mark ‘Made in Moris’
    • More an IOS
    • Not State-backed: ‘Moris’ as opposed to ‘Mauritius’/ ‘Maurice’
    • Filling in the legal vacuum
    • A symbiosis between the private and public sectors

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The Challenges

  • Mauritius as a SIDS
    • Geographical, spatial and resource limitations
      • The impact on productivity, competitiveness
    • Threat of climate change
      • Vulnerability of SIDS
      • Heavily dependent on tourist- and/or agriculture-based economies

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The Pandemic

  • Declared a global pandemic in early 2020
  • Closing of national borders
  • International trade, travel and global supply chains – abrupt halt
  • The need for States to be self-sufficient and self-dependent

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The Need for Resilience

  • Promote local customer loyalty
    • Encourage local knowhow and encourage artisanal production
    • Foster small-scale production, SMEs, family-owned businesses
    • Harmonise standard-setting

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  • Sui generis forms of GIs
    • Tourism, ‘authenticity’, ‘Mauritianness’

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The End

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Any questions?

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Thank you