26.11.2020
New search database for geographical indications in the EU
The Commission launched GIview, a new search database for all geographical indications (GIs) protected at European Union level.
GIview provides a single entry point for data on GIs registered in the EU, and is a useful asset for consumers, producers and intellectual property professionals. It also contains detailed information on non-EU GIs protected at EU level through bilateral and multilateral agreements, and on EU GIs protected in non-EU countries.
The database, officially launched at online conference ‘Strengthening Geographical Indications,’ is continually updated with official registered data from the Commission (Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development) and is developed and maintained by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Geographical indications are a key economic asset for the European Union, and form part of the EU-wide system of intellectual property rights.
GIview contains data such as GI type (PDO, PGI, GI), priority date, legal status, basis of protection in relation to all GIs covering wines, spirit drinks and aromatised wines, agricultural products and foodstuffs protected at EU level.
A special feature of GIview is that it is made open to national authorities and to producer groups to upload extended data, such as the contact data of the GI producer groups and control bodies, maps, photographs of the product, product description, the geographical area, sustainability statements, and other information. This is designed both to maximize information about GIs, and to directly assist anti-fraud authorities who will easily see the descriptions and photos of genuine product and be able to directly contact the concerned authorities and the producer group of the genuine product in case of an investigation.
More information are available here.
A video by EUIPO introducing the tool is available on YouTube.
Source: European Union