Intellectual Property and Food Labelling: Trademarks and Geographical Indications

Abstract

This chapter looks at the international intellectual property regimes for the protection of trademarks and geographical indications (GIs), both of which play a role in food labelling. It is important for those involved in the marketing of food that they have to deal with harmonised trademark and GIs rules, so that they do not require a multiplicity of labels to comply with a multiplicity of rules. As this chapter explains a high level of harmonisation is achieved by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual property Rights (TRIPS). As compliance with TRIPS is an obligation of all WTO members, this chapter focuses on the trademark and GIs provisions of TRIPS, while mentioning the other international instruments which deal with these subjects.