55. The representative of Australia supported the comments made by the United States in relation to the issue of translations. One of her delegation's greatest concerns regarded the relationship of this element with the issue of legal effects as proposed by some delegations, for they would result in the increase of protection of geographical indications. She said that it was reassuring to hear from delegations that they all agreed that the principle of territoriality also applied in this context, which would mean that it would be for a Member to decide, in fulfilling its obligations under Article 23 of the TRIPS Agreement, what would be the translation of a geographical indication in its own territory. Nevertheless, she wondered what the purpose would be of including a requirement to provide terms in translation, either into WTO working languages or, more importantly, into other languages. The answer had been that it would be a useful tool for examiners when looking at the register, but her impression was that they would be useful only if the result being sought was a situation where all Members would effectively protect all terms notified, including the suggested translation. Therefore, for these reasons, her delegation had concerns with a mandatory requirement in relation to translations, as indicated in the EC proposal.
