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#Mexico: oriGIn pushes for the improvement of the GIs provisions in the draft national Industrial Property Law
The Mexican Parliament is currently reviewing the national Industrial Property Law (draft law). A proposal (available only in Spanish) has been recently transmitted to the Senate for discussion.
While the introduction of the concept of Geographical Indication (article 157) – which will be available together with the existing one of Designation of Origin – and, in principle, the recognition process for foreign Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin (Chapter VI) are positive steps, oriGIn is concerned with some of the provisions contained in the draft law.
In light of this, we have analyzed the most critical provisions and sent this position paper to the relevant Mexican authorities, with the objective to ensure the meaningful protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin in Mexico, in line with international standards.
#USA: local food and fair advertising practices
The interest for origin food and fair advertising practices keep growing in the U.S.
On the one hand, deceptive advertising lawsuits multiply. Recently, the Kona Brewing Company has been accused of misleading customers by claiming its beer is produced in Hawaii, exploiting an existing strong consumer sentiment for Hawaiian-made products (http://www.foodandwine.com/news/kona-latest-beer-company-be-sued-deceptive-advertising )
On the other hand, local food sales in the U.S. grew from $5 billion to $12 billion between 2008 and 2014, according to food industry research firm Packaged Facts. The same study predicted local food sales would jump to $20 billion in 2019, outpacing the growth of the country’s total food and beverage sales. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that, in 2015, over 167,000 farms sold approximately $9 billion in local food either directly to consumers or through grocery retailers. In this context, the George Washington University recently hosted the Local Food Impacts Conference to investigate how investment has been affecting the local food landscape and identify criteria a product has to meet to be considered local as well as to help consumers to recognize local food (http://www.businessinsider.com/the-demand-for-local-food-is-growing-2017-4?IR=T & https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/local-foods-are-here-stay ).
#Indonesia #EU: “Kopi Arabika Gayo” is now recognized as PGI in the EU
On 23 May, “Kopi Arabika Gayo” (coffee) from Indonesia was recognized as Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the European Union (EU).
“Kopi Arabika Gayo” comes from Arabica varieties and is grown in Gayo Highland, in the mountainous province of Aceh (Sumatra), between 900 m – 1 700 m above sea level, in the administrative districts of “Aceh Tengah”, “Bener Meriah” and “Gayo Lues”. “Kopi Arabika Gayo” is processed by the typical “Sumatra semi-washed method” (also known as ‘wet hulling’ method).
More information @ http://bit.ly/2qqGcHk & Official Journal of the European Union
