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In the last decade, there has been an intensity in the registration of geographical indications for food, mining, handicrafts and industrial products.
In fact, the advantages gained in marketing by protecting the place names of a product, which stands out with its quality, with geographical registration are of great benefit in terms of protecting the interests of the people of that region. The gain in question cannot be underestimated in terms of the consumer. In addition to the protection of the product, geographical indications also provide a dynamic marketing power and prevention of competition.
Geographical indication is given to products that have gained difference from similar ones thanks to the difference of the region where it is grown or produced or its ecological location. Like Bursa peach…
Objective:
– To protect the quality of the product subject to the geographical indication
– To ensure production with known characteristics
– Combating product counterfeiting
– Supporting local production and rural development
– Protecting the national and cultural values of the country
– It can be summarised as contributing to tourism.
Geographical indications are divided into two as origin and origin mark. A geographical indication of origin is obtained if all production and processing takes place within the borders of that geographical area. For example; Afyon cream, Finike orange, Anzer honey, Van herbed cheese… On the other hand, if at least one of the production and processing takes place within the borders of that geographical area, a geographical indication of source (mahreç) type is in question. Example; Sinop ravioli, Akçaabat meatballs, Balıkesir höşmerim dessert, Adana kebab, Antakya künefesi. Let us remember that while Afyon cream (origin – menşe) is produced only in Afyon, Sinop ravioli (source) can be produced anywhere.
As of January 2024, a total of 1490 products, 1267 of which are food products, have been registered with geographical indications by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.
In the EU, geographical indications started centuries ago and lawsuits have been filed, especially on issues such as wine and cheese, reaching the Court of Justice. According to the data of ‘Research Network on Local Products and Geographical Indications’ (YÜCİTA), Türkiye ranks first in the EU with 333 registered products, followed by France and Spain. The same source states that products with geographical indications in the EU are 2.23 times more valuable than others. Therefore, countries that want to ramp up their exports want to increase their competitiveness by emphasising the characteristics of their geographical products in order to increase their share in international trade. Türkiye has 97 products in the EU geographical list, 27 of which are approved and 60 of which are in the process (https://www.tmdn.org/giview/).
With the registration of a geographical indication, some procedures are required. Firstly, when a registered geographical indication is used on a product, the relevant origin name or origin mark emblem must be placed on the product. This name cannot be written on unregistered products and no sign can be placed. Even uses that evoke the geographical indication and create a perception in this way are prohibited by law. For example, Antep Baklava geographical sign cannot be used on other products. In addition, phrases such as ‘Antep Style Baklava, Antep Baklava type, Antep Baklava’ cannot be used. This prohibition extends to terms such as ‘in style’, ‘in style’, ‘in type’, ‘in type’, ‘in kind’, ‘in method’, ‘in the way it is produced there’ or similar terms.
In our country, we cannot say that geographical indications have not yet been put on track. Registered Finike orange can find high prices in the market. However, it is striking that while around 150 thousand tonnes are produced in Finike, only 400 thousand tonnes of Finike oranges are entered into Istanbul. Let’s take a look at the situation of chestnut honey with geographical indication. Taking the samples to the analysis laboratories to request analysis reports is a direct invitation to counterfeiting. We have nothing to say other than that the laboratory officials should go to the honey storages in the mountains to take the analysis samples. Moreover, we cannot physically guarantee that the ‘name of origin’ or emblem to be prepared with the document in question will not be used for honey other than chestnut honey.
Although we have just entered the geographical indication event, whose commercial benefits cannot be denied, there are many examples where the system has settled. In time, when the use of blockchain comes into play, the contribution of geographical indications to our tourism and culture will reach dimensions that cannot be underestimated…
(https://nazimiacikgoz.wordpress.com/2020/12/12/tarimda-blockchain-kullanimi/)
By Emeritus Professor Dr. Nazimi Açıkgöz,
İzmir / Türkiye
