Strictly crack down on "free-rider" behavior and promote the protection of the whole chain of geographical indications

News from this newspaper (reporter Yuan Guofeng) In order to further strengthen the protection of geographical indications and strictly manage geographical indications, the State Intellectual Property Office and the State Administration for Market Regulation recently issued the "Guiding Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Geographical Indications" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions")

The "Opinions" proposes to adhere to the principles of high-level protection, high-standard management and high-quality development, improve the legal system of geographical indications, improve the legalization level of geographical indication protection, strictly review and identify geographical indications, severely crack down on infringement and counterfeiting of geographical indications, and make overall plans.

The "Opinions" emphasize the need to consolidate the foundation for the protection of geographical indications, improve the legalization of geographical indication protection, strengthen the quality supervision of geographical indication protection applications, strictly review and identify geographical indications, and optimize the support and guidance policies for geographical indication protection

The "Opinions" make it clear that the business system for the protection of geographical indications should be improved, the characteristic quality assurance system should be improved, the technical standard system should be established and improved, and the inspection and testing system should be strengthened

The "Opinions" require that the administrative protection of geographical indications should be strengthened, and the production and sales of counterfeiting or unauthorized use of geographical indications should be cracked down in strict accordance with the penalties and relevant regulations on forged origins, and the use of geographical indications in marketing promotion and product packaging should be regulated.

The "Opinions" also emphasize the establishment of a collaborative protection work pattern for geographical indications, and strengthen the interconnection of illegal clues, regulatory standards, and protection information in the production centers, sales distribution centers, and network platform corporate headquarters of intellectual property departments

"China Food News" (May 31, 2021 03 edition)

(Editor-in-charge: Han Songyan)