Parliament has given the definitive green light to the reform of EU rules strengthening the protection of geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products.
The regulation adopted today with 520 votes in favor, 19 against and 64 abstentions protects GIs offline and online, gives more powers to their producers and simplifies the GI registration process.
Online protection
During negotiations with Member States, MEPs insisted that national authorities will have to take administrative and judicial measures to prevent or put an end to the illegal use of GIs, not only offline but also online. Domain names illegally using GIs will be closed or access to them will be disabled via geoblocking. A domain name alert system will be set up by the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Protection of GIs as ingredients
The new rules also define that a GI designating a product used as an ingredient can be used in the name, labeling or advertising of an associated processed product only when the GI ingredient is used in sufficient quantities to confer an essential characteristic to the processed product. and no other product comparable to GI is used. The percentage of the ingredient must be indicated on a label. A producer group recognized for the ingredient must be notified by the producers of the processed product and can issue recommendations on the proper use of the GI.
More rights for GI producers
Thanks to Parliament, GI producers will be able to prevent or counter any measure or commercial practice detrimental to the image and value of their products, including the devaluation of marketing practices and lower prices. To increase transparency for the consumer, MEPs also ensured that the name of the producer appears in the same field of vision as the geographical indication on the packaging of all GIs.
Simplified registration
The Commission will remain the sole observer of the GI system, according to the updated regulation. The GI registration process will be simpler and a fixed deadline of six months will be set for review of new GIs.
Citation
Rapporteur Paolo De Castro (S&D, IT) said: “Thanks to Parliament, we now have crucial regulation for our quality agri-food chains, strengthening the role of producer groups and the protection of geographical indications, increasing simplification, sustainability and transparency towards consumers. It is a better system, generating added value, without public funds. After the crises caused by the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the surge in production prices, the new GI regulation is finally good news for European farmers. »
A press conference with the rapporteur and Norbert Lins (EPP, DE), chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development is planned for Wednesday 28 February at 1 p.m. CEST in the Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room ( WEISS N -1/201) in Strasbourg. More information is available here press release.
Next steps
Once the Council has formally adopted the regulation, it will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days later.
Background
GIs are defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization as signs used on products having a specific geographical origin and possessing qualities or reputation due to this origin. GIs guarantee intellectual property rights and their legal protection.
The European GI register contains almost 3,500 entries representing a sales value of almost €80 billion. Products bearing a geographical indication often have a sales value approximately double that of similar products without certification. Examples of protected products are Parmigiano Reggiano, Champagne and Polish Vodka.
Originally published in The European Times.
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