Protection of Artisanal and Industrial Products

Artisanal and industrial products may be protected in Europe through geographical indications, similar to the protection that agri-food products have enjoyed for years. This new label will guarantee the origin and quality of products and will also help to safeguard and develop cultural heritage in the artisanal and industrial sectors.

On October 24, the Royal Glass Factory in La Granja hosted the event: “Craft and Industry with their own Seal: the New Geographical Indications,” which brought together people involved in this new system.

This conference marked the start of this new form of protection, which will begin on December 1, and also addressed the challenges and opportunities that may arise.

The speakers at the two round tables that took place at this event came from very different fields, but all of them are related to and involved in the subject. The representative of the European Commission stated that geographical indications are a driver of competitiveness for the European industrial fabric. On the other hand, it was clear that both regional and national administrations are willing to support producers in this endeavor. In this regard, the event featured contributions from both the Undersecretary of Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food in addition to the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) itself and on behalf of the regional administration, with representatives from Castilla y León and Valencia.

The second round table contrasted the views of users of the agri-food designation of origin system with the challenges for future users of industrial and artisanal indications, with the latter represented by the craft sector, through Fundesarte, and industry, specifically furniture (Murcia Furniture and Wood Technology Center).

As can be seen, there was a convergence of stakeholders in this new modality, at European and national level, public and private, and representatives of agri-food designations of origin and future representatives of industrial and artisanal geographical indications.

In addition to this event, we have published a new section on the OEPM website for geographical indications, which, as with other types of protection, covers the most important aspects of this new form of protection.

Furthermore, a new explanatory brochure has been published that clearly outlines the main aspects of this new type of protection.

More information

https://www.oepm.es/es/preguntas-frecuentes/index.html?modalidadFaq=noSel&tramitesFaq=&temas=modalidad.22&searchPage=2

https://www.oepm.es/es/detalle-noticia/La-OEPM-reune-a-productores-y-artesanos-en-visperas-de-la-aplicacion-de-la-norma-que-protegera-los-productos-artesanales-e-industriales-en-toda-la-UE/