Future Solutions for Protecting Geographical Indications Worldwide

Future Solutions for Protecting Geographical Indications Worldwide
Anselm Kamperman Sanders

ISBN 1–84113–571–2
Hart Publishing

European law and policies on geographical indications (GIs) have come into conflict with those of “New World” nations such as the US and Australia. This conflict has come to a head in two areas. First, the US and Australia have brought actions under the WTO dispute resolution mechanism claiming that the national treatment principle of the TRIPS Agreement is violated by the EU’s legislation on GIs. Second, the US has taken the position in the
TRIPS Council that the additional operation of the TRIPS Agreement in relation to wines and spirits ought not to be extended to other products, whereas the EU takes the position that a Multilateral Register in relation to
agricultural products and handicrafts needs to be established.