World news story

Cameroon: Scotch Whisky granted a Geographical Indication Status.

皇冠体育app new status guarantees the brand's protection in all 17 member countries of the African Intellectual Property Organisation-OAPI.

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government
'Geographical Indication' status granting ceremony

Representative of Scotch Whisky in Cameroon receiving the 'Geographical Indication' certificate from OAPI's General Manager.

皇冠体育app Scotch Whisky Association is now recognised and protected as a 鈥楪eographical Indication鈥� in the 17 member states of the African Intellectual Property Organisation- OAPI.

皇冠体育app status granting ceremony held on 9th of September at the head office of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) in Yaound茅 and was presided over by the General Manager of OAPI, Dr. Paulin EDOU EDOU. Present at the event was a team from the British High Commission in Yaound茅 led by H.E. Brian Olley, British High Commissioner to Cameroon. Also in attendance was a delegation from NGWAFOR & Partners, locally led by Prof. NGWAFOR Ephraim, representing SPOOR & FISHER , the intellectual property attorneys of the Scotch Whisky Association.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association, 鈥渢his Geographical Indication status means protection in 17 countries; over 1/5 of the geographical area of Africa and plus 140m people鈥�.

British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E. Brian Olley , said at the ceremony on 9 September in Yaound茅 鈥渢his is a historic moment and a practical step forward in providing protection to guard against improper use of the name Scotch Whisky. From now on the consumers of Scotch Whisky bought in any of the 17 member countries of the OAPI can be better assured of the quality and authenticity of the product they are buying. It will also be easier to take effective legal action against those who try to defraud. I am delighted that the British High Commission has been able to play a part in contributing to this important progress in protecting consumers in Africa.鈥�

皇冠体育app 鈥楪eographical Indication鈥� status will also protect consumers from being misled by other adulterated brands.

Updates to this page

Published 14 September 2015
Last updated 17 September 2015 show all updates
  1. Title updated

  2. First published.