MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Pisco” is Peruvian and calls for a celebration

Peruvians celebrated Wednesday with a 2,000 litres binge the World's Trade Organization Intellectual Property decision stating that pisco is a Peruvian drink.

The fountain in Lima's main square just across the Government Palace and the several centuries old Cathedral was ordered filled with "pisco" by the city's government to commemorate and share the favourable ruling in the long standing controversy with neighbouring Chile.

"This is a victory for all Peruvians", said Lima's Deputy Major Marco Parra.

The Intellectual Property Office from the WTO in the framework of the Lisbon Treaty ruled in favour of Peru and a sixty days period is running for appeals.

However the problem is that Chile is not a signatory of the Lisbon agreement.

Santiago Roca, president of Peru's Competition and Intellectual Property Defence Office anticipated that Chile will most probably follow other actions in its own ambition of having pisco declared as a Chilean drink.

Peruvian Production and Commerce minister David Lemor said Peru with this latest ruling will now make a formal presentation before the International Vine and Wines Office.

"We will keep endeavouring that the pisco appellation is ratified by other organizations related to intellectual property so we can achieve a definitive recognition of pisco as a product originating in Peru", highlighted Mr. Lemor.

Pisco, a traditional drink going back to pre colonial time is considered emblematic by Peru making the international recognition struggle with neighbouring Chile even more complex since it involves cultural and historic elements, besides those strictly commercial.