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The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

politico.eu

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Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#71

Post by iso1210 »

anoncake wrote: post #17
greatgib wrote: post #9

> The wording is strange, it looks like they say that it is wrong to say that it is inauthentic. But, there is no doubt, if you buy Greek feta that is manufactured in Australia in addition with different recipes and ingredients origins, it is clearly inauthentic and deceptive.

You can use the same recipes in Australia as in Greece. Ingredients could be tricky, but let's assume that you can make sheep milk in Australia that has the same properties as Greek sheep milk. Then why should it matter where the feta has been manufactured?

Lets assume you can make a trainer in exactly the same way as Adidas do, can you stick Adidas on the side?

No, it's a trademark. That's effectively what PGI is, and unlike patents and copyright, trademarks have a direct benefit to the consumer (they know what they are getting. Nobody is stopping people buying a Gutchy handbag, but the selling can't pass it off as Gucci)

Same with "100% Florida orange juice" or "Idaho potatoes". I can buy "Southern Style Whiskey" and that's fine, but if I see "Tennessee whiskey" I am assured it's made in Tennessee. That may be important for me, it may not be, but I have the power.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#72

Post by himinlomax »

roelschroeven wrote: post #39
skywal_l wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if you produce exactly the same sneakers than Nike? That does not protect the customer and protects the producers too. But somehow, nobody compains about that. I don't see why brands should be more protected that countries or regions name.

Champagne is not a trademark like Nike. While I think everyone should be able to produce Champagne under the name Champagne, I think only Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, ... should be able to use those specific names. Those are trademarks like Nike.

It's not a trademark, but the point of this system is to afford it a similar protection to that afforded to trademarks.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#73

Post by iso1210 »

dougmwne wrote: post #8
zeristor wrote: post #2

Surely the USA can develop its own authentic regional foods?

What's interesting is that the US absolutely has a huge amount of regional food. Many food items are tied to a specific city, and this goes way beyond the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. The food was often a reimagining of immigrants' foods from back home, but with a distinctively new twist. But rather than identify and celebrate these food traditions, the US chooses to structure its policy around Kraft and General Mills a…

Florida Orange Juice, Vidalia onions, Idaho potatoes, and of course the "Made In USA" stamp.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#75

Post by iso1210 »

dmitriid wrote: post #15

I'm from Moldova, and Moldovan alcohol producers were hit by this. Since the Soviet times lots of things like cognac, champagne, cahors, port wine and so on were produced in Moldova often using traditional recipes. And then association with EU happened. Ooops, can't use those names anymore, you must devise new names for what is essentially the same exact product.

And the far east is also full of knock-off products, what's your point?

Nobody is stopping Moldovan alcohol producers from making sparkling or fortified wines, they just can't pretend its something else in the hopes of conning the consumer.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#76

Post by Bayart »

>"The Old World supplied the immigrants. It seems to be very weird that you’re saying that people can’t take culture with them,"

You can take the culture, not the terroir, that's the point. Actual buffalo mozzarella from Campania, to take something that would be familiar to an English-speaking audience, just tastes different. Using the same process isn't enough. And that's assuming the culture survives untouched, which it never does.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#77

Post by rhn_mk1 »

alkonaut wrote: post #40
anoncake wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can use the same recipes in Australia as in Greece. Ingredients could be tricky, but let's assume that you can make sheep milk in Australia that has the same properties as Greek sheep milk. Then why should it matter where the feta has been manufactured?

Because I as a consumer buy more than the sum of the ingredients. I don’t want to buy a product that’s indistinguishable from the product made in the original location . I want to buy the priduct made there. One reason is that I want to support the production there, as it would be a tragedy if (say) Parmesan producers in Italy were out competed by producers in the US (again, regardless of quality or properties of the…

What would make that a tragedy? If the production of Parmesan in Italy is an important cultural phenomenon, then it can be preserved using other means, even non-economical ones.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#78

Post by himinlomax »

The US argument against it, based on immigrants, is rather convoluted ­— and quite idiotic. How many poor Champagne producers do you think emigrated to the US? Not one, considering how it's always been a luxury product and it's not that ancient. Do they deserve protection? Well Coca Cola sure does, why not them?

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#79

Post by iso1210 »

anoncake wrote: post #22
skywal_l wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if you produce exactly the same sneakers than Nike? That does not protect the customer and protects the producers too. But somehow, nobody compains about that. I don't see why brands should be more protected that countries or regions name.

Then you should be allowed to apply the Nike brand to them. Producers' interests don't matter. They only exist to serve the customer.

Which is why the Nike brand shouldn't be on them. As a consumer I want to know who made it.

By all means sell the same shoes and call them "Victoria" or "Kratos" or something, and I might even buy them if I felt they were an appropriate value.

Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)

#80

Post by iso1210 »

anoncake wrote: post #31
mantas wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So we'd end up with Nike made by Nike and Nike made by someone else? Then, in general public eyes, Nike-made-by-Nike would become true Nike.

If someone is willing to pay extra for an identical product because it's made by a more famous company they have only themselves to blame.

Sure, it's also their choice. I wouldn't buy Nike trainers or Levi jeans, but I'm sure some people do, and by taking away that choice you are stealing from them.
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