GIview, a new research database on geographical indications protected at EU level, was launched on Wednesday 25 November, the European Commission announced (https://www.tmdn.org/giview/ ).
GIview provides a single entry point for data on geographical indications registered in the EU. This database is intended for consumers, producers and intellectual property professionals. This tool also contains detailed information on non-EU geographical indications protected at EU level through bilateral and multilateral agreements as well as on EU indications protected in non-Member States.
The database was officially launched at the online conference ‘Strengthening Geographical Indications’. GI-intensive industries support almost 400,000 jobs in the EU and contribute more than €20 billion to the EU’s GDP. In addition, a study published by the European Commission puts the yearly sales value of GI-protected products at €74.76 billion annually, a fifth of which results from exports outside the EU.
At the conference, MEP Irène Tolleret (Renew Europe, France) stressed that the protection of quality products should be automatically included in bilateral trade agreements with non-Member States covering all European geographical indications from the outset or at least containing “revision clauses to gradually expand the initial list of protected indications“.
It is also essential, in her view, that non-Member States apply genuinely effective controls in order to prevent fraud. She welcomed the recent agreement with China on geographical indications.
Furthermore, she said she was “convinced that the new US administration will restore good political and trade relations with the European Union and I hope that this will help to iron out the US position on the protection of geographical indications, such as French Champagne, Italian Parma ham, Spanish Malaga wine and Greek feta”.
With regard to the forthcoming review of the EU policy on quality systems, a relevant aspect to be addressed is the need to improve information on the characteristics of these products.
For Ms Tolleret, the elimination of fraud is another major challenge for the years to come. Illegal practices are said to account for 9% of the total GI market. The Commission’s proposal to extend GI protection to online and transit sales is welcomed, but it is necessary, according to the MEP, to “develop strict measures against the usurpation of internet domain names”.
Furthermore, she called for a clear differentiation to be maintained between protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications. “Decreasing this distinction may be counterproductive to the reputation of both regimes. As far as wines and spirits are concerned, it is also essential to keep their specificities”, Ms Tolleret concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)