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ARTICLE · 17 NOVEMBER 2020

The Rationale For Protecting Geographical Indications In Nigeria

SPA Ajibade & Co
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Some readers of this piece may wonder why Champagne is not produced in Nigeria, Argan oil not manufactured in China or even Tequila not made in the United States of America?

NigeriaIntellectual Property
Oreoluwa Adebayo
Oreoluwa Adebayo
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Introduction

Some readers of this piece may wonder why Champagne is not produced in Nigeria, Argan oil not manufactured in China or even Tequila not made in the United States of America? Indeed, there are products peculiar to certain geographical regions, and which can only be produced in those regions. Under international Intellectual Property ("IP") regimes, it is unlawful to produce these peculiar products in other regions asides the region in which they are originally made.

Despite recent legal formalization, geographical indications date back to the 4th century BC. The act of requesting for products based on their place of origin, was usual among the ancient Mediterranean peoples (Greeks and Romans), because they learned over time that products coming from certain places had particular qualities.2

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