The Lisbon Agreement, also known as the Lisbon System, is an international treaty that provides protection for appellations of origin and geographical indications (GIs) for goods. The treaty was signed in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1958, and since then, it has been amended several times to keep up with the changes in the global trade environment.

The Lisbon Agreement has been ratified by 28 countries worldwide, including some of the world`s biggest economies such as China, Japan, and the United States. These countries are called Lisbon Agreement members, and they have agreed to provide protection to appellations of origin and GIs for goods originating from other member countries.

The Lisbon Agreement members are as follows:

1. Albania

2. Armenia

3. Azerbaijan

4. Bosnia and Herzegovina

5. Bulgaria

6. Cambodia

7. China

8. Cuba

9. Czech Republic

10. Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (North Korea)

11. Egypt

12. France

13. Georgia

14. Hungary

15. Iran

16. Italy

17. Japan

18. Mexico

19. Moldova

20. Mongolia

21. Montenegro

22. Nicaragua

23. North Macedonia

24. Portugal

25. Romania

26. Serbia

27. Slovakia

28. Spain

29. Tunisia

30. Turkey

31. Ukraine

32. United States of America

33. Viet Nam

The Lisbon Agreement members have access to a global network that allows them to register their appellations of origin and GIs in other member countries. This provides protection to the unique characteristics of their products and prevents the use of misleading or counterfeit names to market similar products.

For example, European Union countries such as France and Italy have registered their appellations of origin for products such as Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Roquefort cheese. These registrations prevent other countries from using these names to market similar products that may not have the same quality standards or production methods.

The Lisbon Agreement members also have access to a dispute settlement system that allows them to resolve conflicts arising from the use of appellations of origin and GIs. This system helps to ensure that such disputes are resolved in a fair and transparent manner, benefiting both producers and consumers.

In conclusion, the Lisbon Agreement is an essential treaty that provides protection for appellations of origin and GIs for goods. Its members benefit from access to a global network and a dispute settlement system that helps prevent the use of misleading or counterfeit names to market similar products. If you are a producer or exporter of goods that fall under the protection of the Lisbon Agreement, it is essential to understand the benefits of membership and how to register your products to receive protection under this agreement.