How to register geographical indications in the European Community

Irina Kireeva

World Patent Information, 2011, vol. 33, issue 1, 72-77

Abstract: Geographical indications (GIs) are names associated with quality products coming from specific places when the geographical origin of the products gives them specific qualities, characteristics and reputation. Geographical indications are known to be the earliest type of trademarks. Historically, they have existed as long as, if not longer than, trademarks. GIs are intended to highlight special qualities of the products through indication of their origin. They also preserve cultural traditions and, therefore, are rightly associated with protection of traditional knowledge and community rights. Since the consumers appreciate quality goods, the use of GIs allows producers to obtain market recognition and a premium price for their goods. This is one of the reasons why adequate protection of this intellectual property type is required. In the EU, GIs for agricultural products and foodstuffs are protected by EC Regulation 510/2006. In order to be protected in accordance with the Regulation, GIs must be registered. This article briefly explains the nature and benefits of GIs, and explains in more detail the registration system in the EU for European and foreign GIs established by Regulation 510/2006. This issue is significant due to the importance of protection of GIs, as part of the EU quality policy in agriculture. Reference is made to the relevant database for information on EU GIs.

Keywords: Geographical; indications; Protected; Geographical; Indications; (PGIs); Protected; Designations; of; Origin; (PDOs); Quality; agricultural; products; Quality; foodstuffs; Registration; EU; EC; Regulation; 510/2006 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0172-2190(10)00079-7
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:worpat:v:33:y:2011:i:1:p:72-77

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/supportfaq.cws_home/regional
http://www.elsevier. ... _01_ooc_1&version=01

Access Statistics for this article

World Patent Information is currently edited by Michael Blackman

More articles in World Patent Information from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().