Latin America: Colombia leading in GIs in the handicraft sector

Seven national artisan communities have received Denomination of Origin (DO) by the Colombia Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC). The act took place on 13th December 2011 at the fair Expoartesanías. Colombia has already two DO for artisan products: Cerámica de Ráquira (Raquira ceramics, informed here in this blog) and Cestería en rollo de Guacamayas (Guacamayas basketry reported here). In total Colombia holds nine DO becoming the first country in Latin America with the highest number of DO declared in the artisanal sector.

‘Artesanías de Colombia’ through the project Intellectual Property and Crafts, supported the artisans in the legal process, and says that it will continue to advice on the implementation and use of distinctive signs. It notes that distinctive signs give the artisans the possibility to differentiate in the market and to defend their product against piracy and initiate legal proceedings that arise when making copies or taking advantage of the reputation of their products on the market.

The Colombian handicrafts received their designations of origin after they tick all the boxes for the requirements of DO, such as natural and human factors, linked to the region. The seven new products are: ‘ Mochilas Wayuú’(backpacks), ‘Tejeduría Zenú’ (weaving), ‘Hamacas de San Jacinto’ (hammock), ‘Sombrero Aguadeño’ (hat), 'Sombrero de Sandoná' (hat), ‘Cerámica de Carmen de Víboral’ (ceramics) and ‘Mopa Mopa Barniz-Pasto’ (polish of grass).

The story and protection does not end here. Added to these DOs, the Superintendence granted six collective marks also in the artisan industry. These collective marks will be added to another one in the same trade called ‘La Chamba’ for black and red ceramics in Tolima (reported here) . The new products were: ‘ Sombrero Vueltiao’, ‘ Filigrana de Mompox’, ‘ Tejeduría de Usiacurí’, ‘Artesanías del Valle de Sibundoy’, ‘ Mochilas Arhuacas’ and ‘Werreregue de los Wounaan’. In other words we have hats, jewelry, weaving, handcrafted products in beads, wool, yarn, fiber, seeds, wood carving, backpacks, and basket and trays made of werreregue palm, respectively.

All of the above products represent a cultural expression of different ethnic groups – if you would like to know more about the roots of these products go to tktotem.

Source Boletin Latinpymes.