Fonterra (the appellant) filed a request with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) to qualify the scope of protection of the geographical indication (GI) “Parmigiano Reggiano,” arguing that the word “Parmesan” was not a translation of “Parmigiano Reggiano.” Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano (the respondent), owner of the GI “Parmigiano Reggiano,” successfully challenged the […]
GI status for ant chutney: A mouthwateringly appetising prospect?
Mayurbhanj district in the state of Odisha in eastern India is well known for its ‘kai (red weaver ant) chutney’ and may, soon, attain the much-awaited geographical indication (‘GI’) status. The ants are abundantly available in Mayurbhanj district and has been consumed in the form of a chutney or soup, by mixing them with spicy […]
Singapore: “Champengwine” application denied due to the grounds of bad faith
“CHAMPAGNE,” in connection to wines, is a geographical indication that it is produced through certain local requirements and is grown from specific regions in France. Keep Waddling International Pte. Ltd (the applicant) and its related companies have been using the trademark “PENGWINE” as their house-mark for their wines originating from Chile since April 2004. These […]
Phase 2 of Enhanced IP Border Protection Measures under the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
On 21 November 2019, the second phase (Phase 2) of enhanced IP border enforcement measures under the Intellectual Property (Border Enforcement) Act 2018 (IPBEA) came into effect upon the entry into force of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (the EUSFTA). The IPBEA was enacted following the conclusion of the EUSFTA in 2014 by which Singapore […]
Indonesia: Implementing regulations for geographical indications
Since the geographical indication general provision was introduced in 2016 (under Law No. 20 of 2016 concerning the Trademark and Geographical Indication Law), there was no specific stipulation from the Indonesian government to support the law, until June 25, 2019, when the government enacted Ministry Regulation No. 12 of 2019 implementing the specific provisions regarding […]
CAMBODIA: Foreign Geographical Indications Welcomed in Cambodia
Champagne, a sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the French region of the same name, and one of France’s most famous products, became the first foreign product to be awarded geographical indication (GI) status in Cambodia on April 29, 2019. This was followed closely by Scotch whisky, which is distilled and matured in Scotland […]
SINGAPORE: Court Rules ‘Tartan’ Is Not a Geographical Indication
Scotch Whisky Association (the appellant) is an association protecting the interests of leading distillers, blenders, and exporters of the Scotch Whisky trade worldwide. Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd (the respondent) is a Japanese department store selling a variety of products, including alcoholic beverages. The respondent applied for “Isetan Tartan” (the mark) in Singapore in Class 33 for […]
Registry of Geographical Indications in Singapore
A geographical indication (“GI”) is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a specific venue or location and has given characteristics and qualities that are unique to its location or origin. Under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, unregistered GIs already receive some protection in Singapore so […]
Singapore: Request for an extension of time to file a notice of opposition against a Geographical Indication (“GI”) – Showing good and sufficient reason
Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano v U.S. Dairy Export Council [2019] SGIPOS 12 Summary of Facts Consorzio Del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano (“the Applicant”) applied to register the geographical indication (“GI”) “Parmigiano Reggiano” (“the GI Application”). The GI Application was accepted and published for opposition purposes on May 10, 2019. The deadline to file a notice […]
Champagne Awarded GI Status in Cambodia
A geographical indication (“GI”) is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a specific venue or location and has given characteristics and qualities that are unique to its location or origin. Champagne – a sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the French region of the same name, is one of France’s most […]