24. The representative of the Czech Republic said the list of issues for discussion and consideration proposed in the Chair's note (JOB(02)/49) formed a good basis for further debate. The Czech Republic fully shared the views presented by the EC and their member States in document JOB(02)/70. It was convinced that the establishment of the multilateral system of notification and registration would contribute to strengthening and facilitating the protection of geographical indications, which was one of its prior interests. In the process of establishing the register, great importance should be given to the issue of legal effects. Only a system with legal effect could ensure effective protection for geographical indications and, thus, reflect adequately the provisions of Article 23.4. The registration system should contain a multilateral possibility to challenge proposed registrations of geographical indications and the best way was the opposition procedure, which should precede the effective registration. In accordance with its position concerning the extension of the additional protection for geographical indications, which was based on the premise that all geographical indications deserved the same level of protection, it wished to underline that the system should be open to all geographical indications alike. She added that only the proposals submitted by the EC and their member States (IP/C/W/107/Rev.1) and Hungary (IP/C/W/255) made a genuine attempt to fulfil the requirements of Article 23.4.
