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Interesting. Trademarking regional products is a big thing in Europe with its many centuries-old food traditions. Switzerland and the EU both have official reco
by thomas11 16y ago
Interesting. Trademarking regional products is a big thing in Europe with its many centuries-old food traditions. Switzerland and the EU both have official recognition of protected designations of origin, for instance for Gruyere cheese. Proponents say it protects local tradition and ensures high-quality products, opponents say it's a veiled subsidy for over-expensive farming.
However, at least in Switzerland producers must do more than just be located in the right region, they also must adhere to quality criteria. That could be a way for Ethiopea to leverage their new trademark: officially ensure that this coffee is actually special, and check that.
- yummyfajitas 16y agoThe EU version also hinders making the same product in a different region. For instance, it is illegal to sell "Champagne imitation wine - made in Portugal" in the EU. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_indication http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_indication The US does not enforce the anti-consumer portions of this (which prevent consumers from learning that Wisconsin Brie-like cheese is similar to Brie), only the pro-consumer parts (you can't say "made in France" unless it really was). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_Geographical_Status#United_States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_Geographical_Status#U...
- technomancy 16y ago> Trademarking regional products is a big thing in Europe with its many centuries-old food traditions. They're like trademarks, but geographic distinctions are technically a legally distinct concept in most parts of Europe. Sounds like that's not the case in the US, which seems odd.