Editorial

摘要

Negotiations for an Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (AEUFTA) were launched on 18 June 2018 and, at the time of writing this editorial, there have been two negotiating rounds. Key issues to be resolved in any intellectual property (IP) chapter of an AEUFTA relate to the potential obligations concerning the protection of geographical indications (GIs), where the parties have clearly different approaches and interests. The AEUFTA "Summary of Negotiating Aims and Approaches",1 published by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), states that: In the context of a comprehensive and ambitious FTA, Australia is open to considering the protection of geographical indications in a mutually acceptable way that will include consultation with agricultural and other stakeholders.