Brussels, 15/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 July, the European Commission launched a public consultation (to run until 28 October 2014) on the possibility of extending the protection of geographical indications to non-agricultural products.
A geographical indication (GI) identifies goods as originating from a country, region or locality where particular quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is linked to its geographical origin, for example Bordeaux wine, Murano glass or Parma ham. Agricultural products (e.g. cheeses, wines, meats, fruits and vegetables) from a specific geographical origin possessing certain qualities or made according to traditional methods may be afforded EU-wide GI protection (e.g. Parmesan cheese). However, non-agricultural products (e.g. ceramics, marble, cutlery, shoes, tapestries, musical instruments) do not to date enjoy unitary GI protection at EU level beyond national laws.
The Green Paper consists of two parts: the first asks questions about the current means of protection provided at national and EU levels, and the potential economic, social and cultural benefits that could be achieved by improved GI protection in the EU. The second part includes more technical questions to seek the views of interested parties on possible options for EU-level GI protection for non-agricultural products. The possible objectives for any new measures range from fulfilling the minimum requirements on GI protection set up by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to providing additional criteria for protection, such as those included in EU legislation on agricultural GIs.
The Commission will publish the results of the consultation and take them into account when considering whether further action is appropriate at EU level.
An external study on geographical indications protection for non-agricultural products in the single market was commissioned in 2012. Its findings, which were published in March 2013, show that the existing legal instruments available to producers at national and European levels are insufficient. The Commission also organised a public hearing on 22 April 2013 to discuss the results of the study and to provide a platform for a wide debate on the need for more efficient GI protection of non-agricultural products at EU level. (LC)