Intellectual property body stops illegal sale of Georgian cheese in German chains
It also explained the geographical indication for sulguni was registered in the country in 2012 and subsequently protected throughout the EU, and added the indication could be applied to a product manufactured according to “strictly established specifications”. Photo: Georgia’s National Intellectual Property Centre
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Georgia’s National Intellectual Property Centre on Wednesday said it had prevented illegal sale of the protected geographical indication of sulguni, a cheese made in the country’s west, at several German supermarket chains and removed the products with the labels.
The Centre said it had addressed the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development in January, with the body in turn addressing relevant German agencies who investigated the case and stopped “unauthorised use and distribution” of Georgian goods from LEDO and ROSSIA chains.
The Centre added the protection of Georgian names of place of origin and geographical indications in the European Union was ensured by the Association Agreement signed with the bloc in 2014.
It also explained the geographical indication for sulguni was registered in the country in 2012 and subsequently protected throughout the EU, and added the indication could be applied to a product manufactured according to “strictly established specifications”.
Traditional meals from south-west Georgia, scientific heritage from the west of the country and the annual grape harvest are among latest entries to be added to the national registry of intangible cultural heritage.
Georgia’s National Intellectual Property Centre on Tuesday said it was launching a public information campaign to raise awareness about geographical indications and appellations of place of origin in the country.
The smoked sulguni cheese from Georgia’s west has been included among the top 100 cheese varieties from around the world by TasteAtlas, an online platform dedicated to culinary delights across the globe.
The secret behind making authentic Tenili cheese has been awarded cultural heritage status, the European Union to Georgia has reported, releasing a video on how the cheese is made created by Georgian and Armenian young people with the support of EU-funded project.
Applicants are now able to validate European patents granted by the European Patent Organisation in Georgia, following an agreement between the organisation and the Georgian Government.