Geneva (WIPO), March 10 -- Cambodia is the first state party to join the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications ("Geneva Act"), which provides producers of quality, origin-linked products with faster and cheaper access to the international protection of their products' distinctive designations.

Cambodia became the first state party to the Geneva Act following the deposit of its instrument of accession with WIPO's Director General on March 9, 2018.

The Geneva Act will enter into force three months after five eligible parties have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession.

About the Geneva Act
The Geneva Act is designed to help ensure that producers of quality products linked to origin are able protect the distinctive designations of their products in multiple jurisdictions, either as appellations of origin or geographical indications, through a single application 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, wine, pottery, glass and cloth.

Examples of appellations of origin and geographical indications include Kampot Pepper and Kampong Speu Palm Sugar from Cambodia, as well as Scotch whisky, Darjeeling tea, Café de Colombia, Gouda Holland, Argan Oil, Swiss watches and Tequila.