High quality products coming from a particular territorial area are not only relevant in the agricultural sector but also in the handicraft, clothing, furniture and design sectors. These products are characterized by unique details and traditional production methods, often passed down from generation to generation, which deserve respect and protection like the agricultural Geographical Indications (GIs). The European Commission undertook a public consultation about the opportunity to take appropriate measures in this area at Community level. Two alternative solutions have been highlighted: harmonizing the legislation of individual member States or creating a unified and independent system of protection for non-agricultural GIs. Which are the future scenarios? GIs for non-agricultural products could represent a guarantee for consumers and a great economic resource for craftsmen.
Protection of Non-Agricultural Geographical Indications
Relator: Mr. Elio De Tullio
Managing Partner & IPR Attorney at De Tullio & Partners, ItalyManaging Partner of De Tullio & Partners. Attorney-at-Law. Admitted to the Bar in Italy since 1994. Registered European and Italian Trade Mark & Design Attorney. Recently nominated INSME Board Member. Deputy Secretary General of the Italy-Argentina Chamber of Commerce (CaCIA) and member of the Board of Directors of the Italy-Dominica Chamber of Commerce. Legal advisor for Istituto di Economia dei Media (Fondazione Rosselli) and Fondazione Valore Italia of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. Representing the International Trademark Association (INTA) as expert in the working groups set up by the OHIM for supporting the activities of the EU Observatory on infringements of IPRs and Chair of the homonymous Task Force. Italian member of the Intellectual Property Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Chair of the Task Force on IP Infringement on the Internet. Cooperating as an expert with the European Commission, in particular with DG Enterprise & Industry, DG Enlargement, DG Research & Innovation and DG Market. Author of several publications and articles on Intellectual Property and IPR Enforcement. Among others, he was also editor and main author of the publication “The intangible wealth – Intellectual Property as an acceleration factor in the audiovisual market” published in 2011 by RAIZONE – ERI. Co-Author of Prof. Galli’s Commentary on Italian and European IP Law. Member of INTA (Chair of the EU Observatory Joint Task Force in the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee), ECTA (member of the Geographical Indications Committee and the Publication Committee), AIPPI, ALAI, ORIGIN, IAEL, ICC.
