The Commission proposed for the first time framework for the protection of intellectual property for craft and industrial products based on originality and authenticity of the traditional practices of their area.
This framework will cover products such as Murano glass, Donegal tweed, Limoges porcelain, Solingen cutlery and Boleslawiec ceramics.
While these products enjoy a reputation and prestige in Europe and sometimes around the world, Producers do not yet have Union protection of geographical indications linking the origin and reputation of their products with their quality.
Based on the success of the geographical indication system for wines, spirits and agricultural products, yesterday’s proposal for a regulation to enable producers to protect, both inside and outside Europe, the handicrafts and industrial products associated with their region, as well as their traditional know-how.
The Regulation, which provides for Union protection of geographical indications, will make it easier for consumers to recognize quality of these products and make more conscious choices. It will contribute to the promotion, attraction and retention of skills and jobs in the regions of Europe, contributing to their economic development. The proposal will also ensure that traditional handicrafts and industrial products are put on an equal footing with the protected geographical indications that already exist in the agricultural sector.
The Executive Vice President for a Europe Ready for the Digital Age, Mr. Margaret Westeyerstated: «In many European regions there is untapped employment and growth potential. Particularly in the craft and industry sectors, many SMEs have developed and perfected manufacturing skills from generation to generation, but lack the incentives and resources to promote them, especially across borders. The protection provided by geographical indications for handicrafts and industrial products will encourage both regions and producers to look on an equal footing with their European and global competitors.».
Commissioner Thierry Bretonresponsible for the internal market, stated: “Europe has an exceptional heritage of world-renowned craft and industrial products. It is time for these producers to take advantage of a new intellectual property right – such as what already exists for food and wine producers – which will increase the confidence and visibility of their products, ensuring their authenticity and reputation. Today’s [σ.σ. χθεσινή] initiative will contribute to the creation of specialized jobs, especially for SMEs, and to the development of tourism in the most rural or economically weak areas».
The proposal for a regulation
It will introduce EU protection for geographical indications of handicrafts and industrial products, which will support producers in protecting and enforcing the intellectual property rights of their products throughout the EU. The new regulation will also facilitate action against counterfeit productsincluding those sold online and will address the currently fragmented and fragmented forms of protection that exist at national level.
It will make possible the simple and cost-effective registration of geographical indications for handicraft and industrial products by establishing an application process at two levels.
In this context, producers will be required to submit their applications for geographical indications to the designated authorities of the Member States, who will then submit the applications made to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for further evaluation and approval. receivers.
There will also be direct application procedure to EUIPO for Member States that do not have a national evaluation procedure. The proposal also allows manufacturers to declare their products’ compliance with the relevant specifications, making the system more flexible and less expensive.
It will make it possible full compatibility with the international protection of geographical indications, enabling producers of registered craft and industrial geographical indications to protect their products in all countries that have signed the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications under the World Intellectual Property Organization , which the EU joined in November 2019 and which covers craft and industrial geographical indications. At the same time, it will now be possible to protect the respective geographical indications from third countries within the EU.
He will support the development of rural and other regions of Europe by providing incentives to producers, especially SMEs, to invest in new authentic products and create niche markets. The proposed regulation will also help to maintain unique skills that could otherwise be lost, especially in rural and less developed regions of Europe. Regions will benefit from the reputation of the new geographical indications. This can help attract tourists and create new highly skilled jobs in the regions, thus boosting their economic recovery.
George Fellidis
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