1. Case study on geographical indications in German jurisprudence
Dr. Oliver Schön
Daniel Kenji Kaneko

2. A. Legal Background B. Case Study
Agenda
A. Legal Background B. Case Study

3. A. Legal Background B. Case Study
Agenda
A. Legal Background B. Case Study

4. German Trade Mark Act Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006
LEGAL BACKGROUND
German Trade Mark Act
Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006

5. LEGAL BACKGROUND
Section 126 (1) TMA
names of places, areas, territories or countries, which are used to identify the geographical origin of goods or services

6. Section 126 (2) TMA No protection of generic names
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Section 126 (2) TMA
No protection of generic names
Designations that lost their original significance

7. No protection of generic names
LEGAL BACKGROUND
No protection of generic names

8. No protection of generic names
LEGAL BACKGROUND
No protection of generic names

9. No entitlement for exclusive rights!
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Geographical Indication
Trademark
No entitlement for exclusive rights!

10. Section 127 TMA Ordinary geographical indication
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Section 127 TMA
Ordinary geographical indication 1
Qualified geographical indication 2
Geographical indication with a particular reputation 3

11. Ordinary Geographical Indication
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Ordinary Geographical Indication 1
Section 127 (1) TMA
Indications of geographical origin may not be used in the course of trade for goods […] which do not originate from the place […] if it is likely to mislead concerning the geographical origin
Section 127 (1) TMA

12. Ordinary Geographical Indication
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Ordinary Geographical Indication 1
Example: Himalaya Salt

13. Qualified Geographical Indication
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Qualified Geographical Indication 2
Section 127 (2) TMA
If the goods […] have a special quality, the indication of geographical origin may only be used […] if the goods have […] this quality.
Section 127 (1) TMA

14. Example: Parma Ham Qualified Geographical Indication 2
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Qualified Geographical Indication 2
Example: Parma Ham

15. Geographical Indication with a particular reputation
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Geographical Indication with a particular reputation 3
Section 127 (1) TMA
Section 127 (3) TMA
If an indication of geographical origin enjoys a particular reputation, it may not be used […]
opportunity for goods of a different origin […] to take unfair advantage of the reputation.

16. Geographical Indication with a particular reputation
LEGAL BACKGROUND
Geographical Indication with a particular reputation 3
Example: Champagne

17. LEGAL BACKGROUND
Council Regulation (EC) No 519/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

18. 1. Protected Designation of Origin
LEGAL BACKGROUND
1. Protected Designation of Origin
The Protected Designation of
Origin logo underlines the strongest
link to the territory, requiring that 
all aspects of production, processing
and preparation originate from that region.
Examples: Italian Parma ham, Greek Feta cheese, Kalamata Olive oil

19. 2. Protected Geographical Indication
LEGAL BACKGROUND
2. Protected Geographical Indication
The Protected Geographical Indication logo underlines the local know how and the close link between a product and the place or region. For registered products, at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the region, but for example the ingredients need not necessarily come from that geographical area.
Example: Bavarian Beer

20. Agenda
A. Legal Background B. Case Study - Ordinary geographical indication - Qualified geographical indication - Geographical indication with a particular reputation

21. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
I. Bavarian Beer

22. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
I. Bavarian Beer
Designation Bavarian Beer did not loose its original significance

23. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
II. Chiemseer Beer

24. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
II. Chiemseer Beer

25. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
II. Chiemseer Beer
20 km
Consumer knows famous areas and connects them to the product

26. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
III. Klosterseer Beer

27. CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
III. Klosterseer Beer
Not every term that sounds like a Geographical Indication is a Geographical Indication
Consumer sphere decisive

28. IV. Turkish Cheese Decisive to identify the exact consumer group
CASE STUDY – Ordinary geographical indication
IV. Turkish Cheese
Decisive to identify the exact consumer group

29. Agenda
A. Legal Background B. Case Study - Ordinary geographical indication - Qualified geographical indication - Geographical indication with a particular reputation

30. CASE STUDY – Qualified geographical indication
V. Black Forest ham
Production as well as slicing and packaging process shall take place within the geographically protected area

31. VI. Cambridge Institute
CASE STUDY – Qualified geographical indication
VI. Cambridge Institute
Not only goods can enjoy geographical protection but also services

32. Agenda
A. Legal Background B. Case Study - Ordinary geographical indication - Qualified geographical indication - Geographical indication with a particular reputation

33. VII. Champagne Sorbet Effective protection covers different variations
CASE STUDY – Geographical indication with a particular reputation
VII. Champagne Sorbet
Effective protection covers different variations

34. Thank You!