Geographical indications: why traceability systems matter and how they add to brand value

Alessandro Francesco Sciarra is an Italian and European trademark attorney at Società Italiana Brevetti S.p.A. (SIB). Louise Gellman is partner at Nabarro LLP, heading up the trade mark filing and prosecution practice. Both Alessandro and Louise are members of the Geographical Indications Team of MARQUES. This article reviews the European regulatory framework for traceability. The authors comment briefly on its role in relation to health and safety, and risk management, before discussing how traceability is an intrinsic feature of geographical indications (GIs), and how the traceability regime provides ready evidence of the origin and quality of GI products, offering consumers detailed information about the authenticity of products. They discuss how this assists in the combating of counterfeits and in customs surveillance, and also how GI rights-holders need to ensure sufficient traceability information is available so they can demonstrate that products comply fully with relevant specifications. They also provide a detailed practical example of a traceability system in action.