WTO sides with U.S. producers in EU food name case
WTO sides with U.S. producers in EU food name case
WASHINGTON " In a key victory for U.S. producers, the World Trade Organization has ruled that the European Union can no longer keep out U.S. brand name products, such as Florida oranges or Idaho potatoes.
?This decision is good news for U.S. producers," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA). "American producers pride themselves in providing high-quality agricultural products to the global community; however, when other countries fail to recognize products with geographical indications such as Idaho potatoes or Vidalia onions, they deny U.S. producers full access to their markets."
Mr. Goodlatte joined the U.S. trade representative in arguing against the EU rules and met with EU officials to voice concern over the unequal treatment of U.S. trademark rights. At issue in this case are geographical indications, or GIs, which are protected geographic names that have a particular association with a food product, such as Idaho potatoes or Florida oranges.
?It is now time for the EU to comply with the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement and make it possible for U.S. agriculture producers to register geographic indications in the EU, something that European producers have been able to do in the U.S. since the agreement was reached," he said.
In a report made public March 15, the WTO panel agreed with the U.S. government that Europe?s regulation for protecting GIs discriminates against U.S. products and producers. The panel also sided with U.S. officials in ruling that Europe could not, consistent with WTO rules, deny U.S. trademark owners their rights.
?It's a clear win for American farmers and food processors," said U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier. "For years, Europe effectively had a "Do Not Apply? sign directed at foreign producers.
?We believed that, under WTO rules, U.S. farmers, ranchers and other food producers should have the same access to protection for "geographical indications? as European food producers, and that the European system discriminated against us," he added.
Although there are more than 600 registered GIs in Europe, none are from non-EU countries, he added. The nation?s grocers also praised the decision. Sarah Thorn, senior director of international trade for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, said, "GMA has consistently opposed European Union efforts to impose its flawed system for protecting GIs on all WTO member countries. The WTO?s ruling makes it clear that Europe cannot deny U.S. trademark holders the right to protect their brands and products."
?This decision is good news for U.S. producers," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA). "American producers pride themselves in providing high-quality agricultural products to the global community; however, when other countries fail to recognize products with geographical indications such as Idaho potatoes or Vidalia onions, they deny U.S. producers full access to their markets."
Mr. Goodlatte joined the U.S. trade representative in arguing against the EU rules and met with EU officials to voice concern over the unequal treatment of U.S. trademark rights. At issue in this case are geographical indications, or GIs, which are protected geographic names that have a particular association with a food product, such as Idaho potatoes or Florida oranges.
?It is now time for the EU to comply with the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement and make it possible for U.S. agriculture producers to register geographic indications in the EU, something that European producers have been able to do in the U.S. since the agreement was reached," he said.
In a report made public March 15, the WTO panel agreed with the U.S. government that Europe?s regulation for protecting GIs discriminates against U.S. products and producers. The panel also sided with U.S. officials in ruling that Europe could not, consistent with WTO rules, deny U.S. trademark owners their rights.
?It's a clear win for American farmers and food processors," said U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier. "For years, Europe effectively had a "Do Not Apply? sign directed at foreign producers.
?We believed that, under WTO rules, U.S. farmers, ranchers and other food producers should have the same access to protection for "geographical indications? as European food producers, and that the European system discriminated against us," he added.
Although there are more than 600 registered GIs in Europe, none are from non-EU countries, he added. The nation?s grocers also praised the decision. Sarah Thorn, senior director of international trade for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, said, "GMA has consistently opposed European Union efforts to impose its flawed system for protecting GIs on all WTO member countries. The WTO?s ruling makes it clear that Europe cannot deny U.S. trademark holders the right to protect their brands and products."
