Food Names

Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) - Protected Geographic Indications (PGI) - Certificates of Specific Character (CSC)/ Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)

Food names associated with particular regions (e.g. Newcastle brown ale; Whitstable oysters; Scotch beef) and names of traditional specialities with particular distinguishing characteristics (e.g. Mozzarella cheese) may be protected under European Union legislation against use by unauthorised producers.

An application must normally be made by a qualified group of producers and requires precise specification of the methods of production and distinguishing features of the product concerned.

WIPO has published a useful background paper "Geographical Indications: Historical background, nature of rights, existing systems for protection and obtaining effective protection in other countries" (.pdf) with Corrigendum.

Advantages: Protects names of regional and traditional specialities against misuse by unauthorised producers elsewhere in the EU.

Disadvantages: Requires group cooperation and detailed specification and production is subject to inspection by the relevant authority (DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which replaced the former MAFF, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from May 2001, in the UK) at the applicant's expense.

Costs: May be low for individual producers, for example, if application managed by a producers' association.

Marking: PDO PGI TSG