68. The representative of New Zealand said that she agreed with at least part of the last intervention by Hungary. In her view, Hungary had raised interesting questions with respect to how countries which were not currently implementing national registration systems for GIs would participate in a multilateral register. She also noted that the EC had pointed out very clearly and forcefully during the latest Council's discussions on extension that a national registration system was currently not a requirement of the TRIPS Agreement. Her delegation agreed with that interpretation. Accordingly, it was giving the issues raised by Hungary careful consideration and would be most concerned that any register negotiated could prejudice the continued right of Members participating in the register not to establish a national registration system. To do otherwise would seem to imply quite a significant change to existing Members' rights and obligations under Article 23. It would also entail considerable new administrative costs and changes for some WTO Members in introducing such a national registration system. Furthermore, it would confirm her delegation's belief that what was being negotiated would only have effect in a very small number of WTO Members, even within the key group of beneficiaries, i.e., the wine and spirit producer countries.
