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International protection of Tequila

Additionally, Tequila is officially listed as an emblematic beverage of Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement

The Appellation of Origin (DO) Tequila enjoys international recognition and protection as follows:

  • In 1978, the International Registration of Tequila before the World Intellectual Property Organization was formalized, establishing a significant precedent in its global recognition (https://lisbon-express.wipo.int/map-result-detail?key=669&lang=en).
  • By 1997, Tequila obtained protection within the European Union thanks to the 1997 Agreement between the United Mexican States and the European Community concerning the Mutual Recognition and Protection of Designations for Spirit Drinks, reinforcing its protected status in this territory (page 4 of https://www.economia.gob.mx/files/marco_normativo/A108.pdf).
  • In addition, Tequila is officially listed as an emblematic beverage of Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of 1994, specifically in Annex 313 of the agreement (see sources: http://www.iadb.org, http://www.sice.oas.org, Annex 313 of NAFTA).

Recognition of Tequila as a Mexican Appellation of Origin by other countries

Within the framework of other Treaties and Association Agreements signed by the Government of Mexico, constant efforts have been made to ensure the protection and recognition of Tequila as a Mexican Appellation of Origin. Among these agreements, the following stand out:

  • The Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, which touches on Intellectual Property issues in its page 12, sixth paragraph (http://www.sice.oas.org/TPD/MEX_JPN/Studies/puntos_s.pdf).
  • The G3 Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and Mexico, which includes articles dedicated to the Protection of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/go3/g3indice.asp).
  • The Mexico-Israel FTA, which includes Articles on Distinctive Products and Annexes dedicated to Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/meis_s/index.asp).
  • The trade agreement between Mexico and the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras), which highlights Distinctive Products in its Annex 3-16 (http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/mextnorte/indice.asp).
  • The Mexico-Uruguay FTA, in its Chapter XV; Section D, addresses the Protection of Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin in Article 15-22 (http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/mexurufta_s/mexuruind_s.asp).
  • The Mexico-Chile FTA, which dedicates its Chapter 15 to Intellectual Property, specifically to Appellations of Origin in Article 15-24 and its associated Annex (http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/chmefta/indice.asp).

These treaties and agreements underscore Mexico's ongoing effort to safeguard the distinction and cultural heritage of Tequila on the international stage.


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