The Commission proposed, Wednesday, April 13, a framework to protect the geographical indications of European artisanal and industrial products, in order to help producers better defend their know-how.
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Porcelain of Limoges, Basque Beret, Marseille soap, Tahitian’s MONOO earthenware, Liffol’s seat … These French products, as well as the famous Murano glass of Italy or the Polish ceramics of Boleslawiec, should soon Benefit from European protection for their authenticity, origin and quality. Wednesday, April 13, the Commission proposed a framework to protect the geographical indications (GI) of artisanal and industrial products, in order to help producers to better defend their know-how throughout the European Union (EU) and even -DELA OF HIS BORDS. “Europe has an exceptional legacy. It is time for producers in this sector also benefit from an intellectual property right,” said Thierry Breton, the commissioner in charge of the internal market.
Indeed, the Commission is inspired by the model and the success of the geographical indications already enjoyed, at European level, food, wines and spirits. IG act as a guarantee of quality and can boost the reputation of products, or even tourism on their places of origin. The European Parliament pleads to expand this protection to other areas (jewelery, textiles, lace, cutlery, glass, porcelain …) Since 2015 and believes it would increase by 4.9% to 6.6% (37.6 billion at 50 billion euros) exports of these products over twenty years. In addition, about 330,000 new jobs could be created in the regions concerned.
Currently, the protection of the intellectual rights of artisanal and industrial products is managed by each Member State at the national level. The rules therefore vary from one country to another, as are the legal guarantees granted. Producers who want to protect an IG across the EU must apply in each of the twenty-seven, which can sometimes prove too expensive for small or medium-sized enterprises such as those that are often specialized in craftsmanship.
The new regulation therefore aims at establishing a harmonized European system within the single market. The Commission proposes a “simplified” registration procedure in which producers submit their IG applications to the national authorities, before the Member States relate them to the Office of the European Union for Intellectual Property, which shall have the Last word.
Fight counterfeiting
To obtain the European label, the product must come from a specific place (one or more regions, or even a country), which it benefits from a reputation related to its geographical origin and that at least one stage of Production is made there. More than 800 products could benefit, including a hundred tricolor products.
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