CCFN Chairman: As EU Scrambles to Erect Barriers to Competition, US Wins on Quality

CCFN, Italian Consorzio and U.S. Dairy Forge Historic Agreement on Mozzarella

“CCFN and its members need to stay vigilant so the interests of producers of products with common names will continue to have access to global markets.”

– Bobby Koch, Wine Institute

CCFN Chairman asks White House:

Why can Europeans sell their common name cheeses in Wisconsin if we can’t sell ours in the EU?

News & Alerts

January 30th, 2020

Dairy Industry Applauds U.S. Ag Secretary Perdue’s Commitment to Protect Common Names; Perdue Points at GIs as Trade Barriers

ARLINGTON, VA – The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) expressed appreciation for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s denunciation of geographical indications (GIs) as trade barriers. During recent meetings with European agriculture and trade officials, Secretary Perdue made it clear that the […]Read More »

January 16th, 2020

CCFN Cheers Common Name Protections in Phase One China Deal

(Washington D.C.) The Consortium for Common Food Names commends the Administration for its accomplishments in Phase One trade agreement between the United States and China, which creates safeguards regarding market access for generic or common-name products. CCFN, together with its members, the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation, worked extensively with […]Read More »

November 26th, 2019

American Blue Takes the Cheese Crown in World Cheese Awards

A blue cheese produced by Rogue Creamery in Oregon – “Rogue River Blue” – beat out 3,800 entries from 42 countries in October to take top honors at the 2019 World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy.Read More »

November 26th, 2019

EUIPO Agrees “Emmental” is Generic; Denies Trademark Request

The European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has denied a request from Emmentaler Switzerland to trademark the term “emmental” or “emmentaler” (in German) aligning with CCFN’s objections to the application.Read More »

More News >

Resources on Generic Products:

Codex Alimentarius – International Standards (easy to search by item)
U.S. FDA Standards of Identity
U.S. Tariffs

We fully support efforts by the Consortium to protect the right to continue marketing… products using the common names by which they’ve always been known. — American Meat Institute

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On the Radar

CCFN Opposes 12 Terms in Australia-EU FTA

Out of a list of geographical indications requested by the EU as part of the Australia-EU free trade agreement, CCFN has filed oppositions to 12 terms. CCFN also requested affirmation of the assurance provided by Australia that common name portions of certain compound GIs will remain free to use.

Emmentaler, Gruyere GI Applications in Mercosur Face Opposition

CCFN has filed oppositions to any restriction of the terms “emmentaler” and “gruyere” in Mercosur nations, pushing back on Swiss efforts to monopolize the terms as part of trade negotiations between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Mercosur.

INTA Makes Positive Updates to GI Resolution

The International Trademark Association (INTA) passed an updated GI resolution in November that recognizes that terms “that are or have become generic terms in a jurisdiction should not be impaired by GI protection in that jurisdiction.” As an INTA member, CCFN had worked actively on the process to update the resolution.

EU-China GI Deal May Have Limited Impact

CCFN expects the on-the-ground impact to be limited from a GI agreement in November between the European Union (EU) and China. Several of the terms within the 100 GIs listed as part of the agreement are not new restrictions and were already registered in China through its own GI or trademark system.

News & Alerts

Dairy Industry Applauds U.S. Ag Secretary Perdue’s Commitment to Protect Common Names; Perdue Points at GIs as Trade Barriers

CCFN Cheers Common Name Protections in Phase One China Deal

American Blue Takes the Cheese Crown in World Cheese Awards

EUIPO Agrees “Emmental” is Generic; Denies Trademark Request

Resources on Generic Products:

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On the Radar

CCFN Opposes 12 Terms in Australia-EU FTA

Emmentaler, Gruyere GI Applications in Mercosur Face Opposition

INTA Makes Positive Updates to GI Resolution

EU-China GI Deal May Have Limited Impact

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Dairy Industry Applauds U.S. Ag Secretary Perdue’s Commitment to Protect Common Names; Perdue Points at GIs as Trade Barriers

CCFN Cheers Common Name Protections in Phase One China Deal

American Blue Takes the Cheese Crown in World Cheese Awards

EUIPO Agrees “Emmental” is Generic; Denies Trademark Request

Resources on Generic Products:

This Makes Sense

This Makes Sense:

This Doesn’t Make Sense

This Doesn't Make Sense:

Join Us Today-Eng

Join Us Today

On the Radar-Eng

On the Radar

CCFN Opposes 12 Terms in Australia-EU FTA

Emmentaler, Gruyere GI Applications in Mercosur Face Opposition

INTA Makes Positive Updates to GI Resolution

EU-China GI Deal May Have Limited Impact

Un-Common Heroes-Eng

Un-Common Heroes

Contact Information

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