•  
  •  
 
Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

First Page

425

Abstract

The ever expanding global marketplace and increasing sophistication of consumers has led to a heightened desire for high-quality wines, spirits and food products that derive their unique characteristics from the geographical region from which they originate. The particular geographic identity of a product, known as a "geographical indication" can increase the marketability and value of any number of consumer goods, from wines and spirits to rice and cheese. The desire to protect geographical indications from misappropriation and abuse eventually led to the adoption of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects for Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) during the establishment of the World Trade Organization. This agreement provides for the international protection of geographical indications and offers more protection for wines and spirits than other consumer goods. Unfortunately, the adoption of the TRIPS Agreement did not end controversy over geographical indications and a debate between the European Union and the United States and their respective allies still rages over how international law should be applied to protect geographical indications.

This Note first analyzes the history of the geographical indication debate and the protection of geographical indications within international intellectual-property treaties, including relevant provisions of the TRIPS Agreement. It then considers the policy reasons behind each side of the debate between the European Union and the United States regarding how to proceed with protecting geographical indications in the future. Finally, the Note evaluates and advocates for the expansion of the TRIPS Agreement protection beyond wine and spirits and for the establishment of a mandatory registration system for geographical indications. This proposal would still honor existing trademark systems in order to protect the current interests of the United States.

Download

Share

COinS