But that right is under threat. We oppose attempts to monopolize generic names, and seek to foster the adoption of an appropriate, international model for protecting both legitimate geographical indications (GIs) and generic food names.
“It’s outrageous that anyone would claim to have sole ownership of these names. This is an economic issue for us, certainly, but it’s also personal – it’s about what’s right and fair.”
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“Our ultimate goal is to foster the adoption of model GI guidelines throughout the world, which we think is achievable and can be workable for specialty producers.”
- CCFN Executive Director Jaime Castaneda
The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) is voicing its objections to a plan by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to allow approval of a controversial intellectual property (IP) agreement to take place behind closed doors, without the full participation by all WIPO members who may be impacted by the decision. CCFN is urging […]Read more
WIPO Members Warned of Unintended Consequences to International Food Trade in Advance of Meeting this Month… Representatives of the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) were in Geneva last week for the 2014 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly Meeting, voicing concern about current proposals to expand the Lisbon Agreement, an international system for […]Read more
South Africa appears to be bypassing intellectual property evaluation to allow a substantial list of GIs protection within South Africa as part of the nation’s economic partnership agreement with the EU, concluded July 22. The list includes such common names as “feta”, “asiago”, “fontina” and “gorgonzola”. CCFN sent a letter to South African Ambassador Rasool expressing concern about the agreement.Read more
There is continued strong language from leaders in Washington, D.C., in support of protecting common food names, particularly in the context of the EU-U.S. negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). CCFN has worked hard to make sure members’ concerns continue to be heard. Read more
The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) is calling on the European Union (EU) to make the right decision on a controversial geographical indication (GI) proposal that would grant Denmark exclusive use of the name ’havarti’ in the EU. CCFN filed its comments late last week in objection to the proposal as part of the EU’s GI review process.Read more
— National Chamber of Milk Producers of Costa RicaWe are very proud to belong to the Consortium and to continue this struggle in partnership with many producers and industries in the world.
The EU is aggressively working to restrict your ability to use common food names. Your support is critical to counter these actions.
CCFN and Others Call for Open Door on Lisbon Agreement within World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Despite objections by more than a dozen nations, including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the U.S. and others, the Lisbon Agreement committee has decided for now to proceed with its current rules for a diplomatic conference next spring that would not allow for full and equal participation by all WIPO members regarding the ratification of expansions to the Lisbon Agreement GI scheme. Read more
Straight to the Source (the EU): CCFN and government officials from the U.S., Australia and New Zealand met with the Danes in Brussels in early December to present objections to the Danes’ Havarti GI application. Read more
Several Key Nations Working on GI Regulations and Applications – CCFN is working in key areas to battle current restrictions or weigh in on developing GI policies: Read more
Statements We Loved in 2014 – We heard some great statements in the media and in public discourse this year in support of generic food names. Read more
And this…Los Angeles Times Talks Wine and Cheese – A Los Angeles Times feature in October, “Stew over European food names complicates trade talks”, featured CCFN member Sartori Foods: “The Europeans are scared because there are a lot of U.S. companies that are making great cheese,” said Sartori President Jeff Schwager. Read more
CCFN Presents During T-TIP Stakeholders Forum – During this fall’s seventh round of U.S.-EU talks on the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), CCFN had the opportunity to brief U.S. and EU negotiators on the protection of common food names. Read more
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Purtschert supports CCFN and is a vocal ally for protecting the rights to use common food names in Ecuador and around the globe. Read more
Camembert de Normandie must be made in Normandie, France
