Intellectual Property, Sustainability and Development: The Case of Morocco's Argan Oil Geographical Indication
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69971/tipr.3.2.2025.63Keywords:
Morocco argan oil, geographical indication, intellectual property law, sustainability, SDGsAbstract
Argania spinose yields Argan oil that is culturally, economically, and ecologically significant product endemic in southwestern Morocco. As a Moroccan geographical indication (GI) product since 25 January 2010, Argan oil symbolizes Moroccan history, rural development, and biodiversity preservation. This study explores Argan oil GI recognition, the socioeconomic context of the oil and the legal systems for GI protection band the role played by women's cooperatives. Although GI designation has led to improved quality control and access to global markets, over-commercialization, climate vulnerability, and enforcement challenges persist. This study through case studies, legal analysis, and policy frameworks suggests importance of GI protection for sustainable development and cultural preservation in Morocco.
Downloads
References
Belletti, Giovanni, Andrea Marescotti, and Jean-Marc Touzard. 2015. Geographical Indications, Public Goods, and Sustainable Development: The Roles of Actors’ Strategies and Public Policies. World Development 98: 45-57. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305750X15001138
Benabderrazik, Meryem, Konstantia Koutouki and Jeremy de Beer. 2022. Geographical Indications and Sustainable Development in Morocco: The Case of Argan Oil. Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice 17: 202-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/jiplp/jpac007.
Charrouf, Zoubida and Dominique Guillaume. 2010. Should the Amazigh Diet (Regular and Moderate Argan-Oil Consumption) Have a Beneficial Impact on Human Health? Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 50: 473-477. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20373191/.
Cedrola, Simone. 2018. Protection of Trademarks and Geographical Indications. Ius in Itinere. https://iusinitinere.it/protection-of-trademarks-and-geographical-indications/
European Commission. 2015. Explanatory Memorandum to COM (2015)448, Indicating Agreement Negotiations Concluded January 16, 2015. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52015PC0448.
GI Publications. 2019. Geographical Indications in Africa Compendium. https://edepot.wur.nl/171656.
Gunning, Yvonne. et al. 2020. High-Throughput Screening of Argan Oil Composition and Authenticity Using Benchtop ¹H NMR. Magnetic Res-onance in Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrc.5023.
Cedrola, Simone. 2025. Protection of Trademarks and Geographical Indications. IUS In Itinere. https://iusinitinere.it/protection-of-trademarks-and-geographical-indications.
Kenny, Omar Lahcen. 2008. The Role of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Sustainable Development in Morocco: Their Place in the Plan Maroc Vert (“Green Morocco”). Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (AgroTech Director): 1-18. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/role-of-geographical-indications-gis-in-the-sustainable-development-in-morocco-their-place-in-the-plan-maroc-vert-green-morocco-lahcen-kenny-institut-agronomique-et-vtrinaire-hassan-ii-and-agrotech-director/67569994.
Luth, David. 2004. Argan Oil as a Geographic Indication. GIANT Case Studies. https://mandalaprojects.com/giant-project/argan-oil.htm.
Montanari, Bernadette, Mohamed Handaine and Jamila Id Bourrous. 2023. Argan Oil Trade and Access to Benefit Sharing: A Matter of Economic Survival for Rural Women of the Souss Massa, Morocco. Human Ecology 51: 995-1007. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10745-023-00453-6.
Perry, Wendy. et al. 2020. Social Sustainability and the Argan Boom as Green Development in Morocco. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 20: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2452292920300588
Taous, Fatima, N. Amenzou, H. Marah, R. Maia, C. Maguas, L. Bahmad, and S. Kelly. 2020. Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis as a New Tool to Trace the Geographical Origin of Argan Oils in Morocco. Forensic Chemistry 17, 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2019.100198
WIPO. 2010. Protecting Society and the Environment with a Geographical Indication. https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ip-advantage/w/stories/protecting-society-and-the-environment-with-a-geographical-indication.
World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO). 2022. 60th Commission for Social Development: Women Cooperatives Event. World Farmers’ Organisation,. https://www.wfo-oma.org/wfo_news/60-commission-social-development-women-cooperatives-event/
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
