GI Protection between Japan and the EU

Zen International Patents and Trademark

Japan and the EU have reportedly reached a political agreement in principle on an Economic Partnership Agreement. (The negotiations were launched in 2013.)

The agreement includes the term related to bilateral Geographical Indications (GI) protection which aim to encourage the export of well-known agricultural products mutually.

Japan is supposed to protect 210 items of the EU, while the EU is supposed to protect about 40 items.

To begin with, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan gave public notice of information on 71 items which the EU seeks the same level protection in Japan as they experience in the EU. The well-known names in the Japanese market, such as such as Gorgonzola, Prosciutto Toscano, Camembert de Normandie, Aceto Balsamico di Modena are included.
They will be judged to be registered after 3 months of opposition period.

On the other hand, Japanese brand names, such as "Kobe Beef", "YUBARI MELON” or "Japanese Sake" are supposed to be protected in the EU.

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