News & Resources

December 8, 2021

CCFN submitted two sets of public comments to the EU in response to a proposed revision of its geographical indications (GIs) system and its 2022 EU Intellectual Property Office’s (EUIPO) Guidelines on trademark practice.

December 8, 2021

CCFN met virtually with U.N. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director-General Daren Tang in January to welcome him in his new role and to discuss potential areas of collaboration, particularly on issues related to the use of commonly named products.

December 8, 2021

In September, CCFN’s Senior Director, Shawna Morris, spoke to over 300 participants of the WIPO’s bi-annual symposium on GIs about how GIs are impacting trade around the world. Her remarks called for respecting the rights of producers and consumers to use common food names, and specifically targeted actions by the EU, which restrict those rights. Highlighting that the misuse of GIs stamps out competition to the detriment of local industries, trading partners, and consumers, Morris called for stronger protections to address negative impacts.

December 8, 2021

At the 2021 World Intellectual Property Forum, CCFN consultant Juan Antonio Dorantes Sanchez discussed the issue of common name confiscating through the misuse of GIs with more than 1,500 attendees from 30 countries. The event provided CCFN with an opportunity to continue to communicate to global audiences the importance of sound GI policies that respect the rights of generic users.

May 14, 2021

ARLINGTON, VA – The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended Ambassador Katherine Tai and U.S. Trade Representative Office staff, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other administration partners, for reaffirming in its Special 301 Report the U.S. government’s commitment to […]

April 6, 2021

ARLINGTON, VA – The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) applauded the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) prioritization of common name restrictions as a primary trade barrier in their 2021 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report released last week. The comprehensive, 570-page document captures the broad range of nontariff barriers for U.S. goods and […]