MAAF approves GI lists for alcohol and foodstuffs

The Ministry for Agriculture, Alimentation and Forests (MAAF) has approved through two consecutive orders the lists of geographical indications (GIs) protected and recognized in Romania for alcoholic beverages (including those that have been distilled from wine, sub-products created during the wine-making process or fruits) and foodstuffs.

MAAF Order 339/2003 approves the list of GIs for foodstuffs, while Order 334/2003 approves the list for alcoholic beverages. Both orders have been published in the Official Gazette.

The registration of GIs is governed by the Romanian Trademark Law. To receive protection GIs must be registered with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (SOIT) in accordance with the Trademark Law or with international conventions to which Romania is party. The GIs may be used only by persons that manufacture or are involved in the trade of the products for which they have been registered.

Where the GIs are protected or will be protected under bilateral or multilateral agreements concluded by Romania, the SOIT enters them in the National Register of GIs, which is published in the Romanian Official Bulletin of Industrial Property.

Following MAAF's approval of the GI lists for alcohol and foodstuffs, the SOIT has received applications for registration and publication of over 120 domestic GIs for alcoholic beverages, and over 140 domestic GIs for foodstuffs.

Alexandru A Harsany, Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, Bucharest