TPP to Skip Rules on Geographical Indications

Lahaina, Hawaii, July 24 (Jiji Press)--Japan, the United States and 10 other countries are unlikely to set common rules on geographical indications for farm products and processed foods under a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, informed sources told Jiji Press on Friday. The United States, Australia and some other countries have insisted that the protection of local food brands using geographical names can be guaranteed by trademark and other existing laws. The 12 countries are negotiating to let each member introduce own geographical indication rules for domestic products or enter into a separate agreement with others on such rules, the sources said. On the protection of geographical indications, the European Union is advocating strict regulations as there are many geographically indicated food products, such as champagne, in Europe. In June, Japan introduced a geographical indication protection system based on EU standards. The United States, Australia and New Zealand are opposed to the strict European approach. In the countries, geographical indications that are considered to have become part of common food names, such as parmesan cheese, are not protected. END