The US is one of the few countries in the world that does not provide an independent system to recognize and protect GIs. Several schemes are available for that purpose (in some cases they might overlap, as a product’s name might benefit from more than one of them).
The above-mentioned situation does not serve legal certainty and rather raises practical issues for the American private actors relying on geographical names for their business, as well as for consumers.
In its position paper oriGIn is willing to engage with the US stakeholders (both public authorities and the private sector), presenting several proposals.
