Protecting Products of Place

Protecting Products of Place

Geographical indications (GIs) are controversial domestically and internationally. This topic examines GIs and the laws governing their use with reference to wine, other food products and handicrafts, including Idaho potatoes, Darjeeling tea and Banaras silk sarees. Topics include the registration and defense of GIs under U.S. trademark law – as common law GIs, certification marks, collective marks and trademarks, American viticultural areas and vineyard designations. The laws of the European Community are addressed for comparative purposes. From an international perspective, the topic will focus on the World Trade Organization's TRIPS Agreement (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) and the negotiations to extend the special protection for wines and spirits to other goods and services and to claw back generic terms. Finally, we will explore the developing world perspective on GIs.