Recently, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced three important developments regarding countries acceding to international treaties. The Bahamas, Bulgaria, and Cuba have respectively acceded to different intellectual property treaties administered by WIPO, aiming to strengthen their intellectual property protection and international cooperation in specific fields.
The Bahamas Accedes to the Patent Cooperation Treaty
On May 19, 2026, The Bahamas deposited its instrument of accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) with WIPO, and the country will become the 159th member of the PCT Union. The treaty will enter into force for The Bahamas on August 19, 2026.
As the 21st member of the Association of Caribbean States to join the PCT, this move will strengthen the economic integration and competitiveness of the region. After entry into force, Bahamian inventors will be able to protect their inventions in major export markets including the United States, Canada, and Europe through the PCT system. At the same time, foreign innovators will also be able to seek patent protection in The Bahamas more conveniently.
Bulgaria Accedes to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement
On March 31, 2026, Bulgaria submitted its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement (the "Geneva Act") to WIPO. This Act is a core component of the Lisbon System, which provides protection for names that identify the geographical origin of products such as coffee, wine, and ceramics.
With this accession, the number of contracting parties to the Geneva Act has increased to 27, covering 61 countries; at the same time, the number of contracting parties to the entire Lisbon System will increase to 44, covering 73 countries.
The Act will enter into force for Bulgaria on June 30, 2026, and will then benefit many renowned specialty products of Bulgaria, such as Bulgarian rose oil, Bulgarian yogurt, and Trojan ceramics, strengthening their intellectual property protection in international markets.
Cuba Accedes to the Marrakesh Treaty
On March 4, 2026, Cuba formally submitted its instrument of accession to the Marrakesh Treaty. The full title of the treaty is the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, which requires contracting parties to provide copyright limitations and exceptions, allowing the production and cross-border exchange of accessible format works such as Braille and audiobooks.
The treaty will enter into force for Cuba on June 4, 2026, which will greatly improve the accessibility of published works for people with print disabilities in Cuba.
Common Significance
These three accession actions cover multiple important areas in the intellectual property field. They collectively demonstrate that countries from different regions and at different levels of development are actively using the international legal frameworks administered by WIPO to continuously strengthen intellectual property protection and integrate into the global innovation system.
Sources:
https://www.wipo.int/en/web/pct-system/w/news/2026/the-bahamas-joins-the-pct
https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/notifications/details/treaty_marrakesh_105?utm_source=WIPO+Newsletters&utm_campaign=1b7f23c003-WJI_NEWSLETTER_TREATY_EN_250326&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-1b7f23c003-256852261
https://www.wipo.int/en/web/lisbon-system/w/news/2026/bulgaria-joins-the-geneva-act-of-the-lisbon-agreement
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