Linge Basque’, ‘
Absolue Pays de Grasse’ and ‘
Pierre d’Arudy’ joined the small family of geographical indications for industrial and handicraft products. To date, 12 geographical indications have been approved by the French IP office, INPI. There are, however, two new applications for registration: ‘
couteau de Laguiole’ and ‘
poteries d’Alsace’, for which public inquiries for the registration of geographical indications have just been opened.
A geographical indication is a distinctive sign. It assures the consumer of characteristics attributable to that geographical origin, which is a guarantee of the quality and authenticity of the product. It makes it possible to link a product to its origin. Its purpose is to protect pre-existing know-how and production.