Geographical indication: Apply now for Europe-wide protection

Solingen knives, Meissen porcelain, Eau de Cologne or Jena glass: Manufacturers can now apply for Europe-wide protection through a geographical indication at the German Patent and Trademark Office.

Manufacturers of handcrafted and industrial products that reference to a specific region have, can for the first time at the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) Europe-wide protection as protected geographical indication (ggA) apply for.

For example, wood art from the Ore Mountains, Eau de Cologne, Solingen knives, Jena glass, Mittenwald violins, ties from Krefeld or Schweinfurt ball bearings.

The background is a Regulation of the European Union from 2023The German regulation has now come into force (regulated in the Geoprotection Reform Act). Previously, this protection only applied to wine (such as Ahr Valley country wine), spirits (such as Bavarian Bärwurz), and agricultural products or foodstuffs – in Germany, these included Nuremberg gingerbread, Black Forest ham, Allgäu Emmental cheese, and Thuringian Rostbratwurst.

Regarding the application: The application will be submitted electronically to the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) via the portal:  GIportal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

"We are pleased to be able to help strengthen regional culture and economic power by serving as a point of contact for our German manufacturers," says [name/title of speaker]. DPMA President Eva Schewior"Protected designations of origin underpin the Importance of regional products and raise awareness of their value. Furthermore, they help to... traditional know-how to maintain in the relevant regions, increase added value and Local jobs to secure."

According to the DPMA, all products that are handmade or standardized and manufactured using machines can be protected.

This includes, among other things... 

• Watches,
• Cutlery,
• substances,
• Porcelain,
• Wooden products,
• Jewelry,
• Textiles,
• instruments
• natural stones or
• Glass. 

A prerequisite for protection as a geographical indication is that the product must originate from a specific place, region, or country. "The quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the product must be substantially attributable to its geographical origin," it states.

Furthermore, at least one of the production steps must be carried out within the geographical area. 

The examination procedure is two-stage. First, the DPMA examines the application and, if successful, forwards it to the EUIPO – the EU Intellectual Property Office in Alicante, Spain – continues. The products will then be published in EUIPO electronic Union Register 

Applications for agricultural products – previously under the jurisdiction of the DPMA – will in future be submitted to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.

Source: DPMA

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