The conference was held in Geneva on 10 and 11 October 2024. Nearly 180 participants attended, half of them on site, representing 35 countries spread across 4 continents.

Lawyers and specialists in legal practice, academics, representatives of GI beneficiaries' organisations (including the FH), international organisations (EUIPO, European Commission, ICANN, WIPO, FAO), and national authorities (including French INPI and lNAO, Brazilian INPI, Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Georgian Sakpatenti, Albanian Ministry of Agriculture, Peruvian INDECOPI), representing more than 35 experts from a wide range of backgrounds, presented their experiences in the 7 organized panels.

Presentations and discussions covered both the latest trends in case law and recent and forthcoming developments in legal frameworks, including the Lisbon system, bilateral agreements and new EU regulations. The legal aspects of internet fraud and domain name disputes were also on the agenda. Particular emphasis was placed on non-agricultural GIs, including not only Swiss watches, but also handicrafts from India, Colombia and Italy. The IPI was well represented. Our colleagues moderated two panels and gave two presentations, one on geographical trademarks and the other on GI evocation. The programme is available here.

The enthusiasm and the richness of the exchanges confirm the relevance of this unique meeting and the need to envisage a new edition in the future.