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Geographical Indications Act, 2003 (Act 659).

Country/Territory
Ghana
Document type
Legislation
Date
2003
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Long title
An Act to provide for the protection of geographical indications and to provide for related matters.
Subject
Food & nutrition, General
Keyword
Framework law Food quality control/food safety Packaging/labelling Internal trade Classification/declassification Registration Institution Fraud Offences/penalties
Geographical area
Africa, North Atlantic, Western Africa
Abstract

This Act makes provision for the registration and protection of geographical indications and the use of marks for products in Ghana. Protection under this Act is available- (a) regardless of whether a geographical indication is registered; and (b) against a geographical indication which, although literally true as to the territory, region or locality in which the goods originate, falsely represents to the public that the goods originate in another territory. Registration of a geographical indication under this Act, raises a presumption that the indication is a geographical indication within the meaning of this Act. The Registrar‐General shall keep a Register of Geographical Indications. Any interested person may appeal to the High Court against a decision taken by the Registrar under this Act, in particular, the registration of a geographical indication. Only producers carrying on the activity in the geographical area specified in the Register shall have the right to use a registered geographical indication in the course of trade, with respect to products specified in the Register, provided that the products possess the quality, reputation or other characteristic specified in the Register.

Full text
English