Prosciutto di Parma registered as First 'Regionally Based Collective Trademark' in Japan

15.10.07

Parma, 15th October 2007 - The Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma is pleased to announce that the name "Prosciutto di Parma" is the first foreign  trademark to be registered as a "Regionally Based Collective Trademark" in Japan, as of August 31 2007. This new trademark system, introduced by the Japanese Patent Office in April 2006, provides for the protection of regional  names .

Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham )  is registered as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product under EU law and is protected from any misuse, abuse, and imitation within the EU.

The Ducal Crown brand was already registered in Japan in 2000. However, with the new registration of the name "Prosciutto di Parma", protection against misuse will be strengthened.

Registration No. 5073378 is for the Italian name "PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA", and it also covers the name in Japanese characters. According to the Japanese Law on "Regionally Based Collective Trademarks", third parties are not allowed to use the name without permission. As a result of this registration, Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma will no longer tolerate any misuse or abuse of the designation of "Parma" or "Parma Ham" on any label  or packaging .
 
A rule that applies also to Prosciutto di Parma pre-sliced packages which may only be prepared in the Parma area, under the supervision of Italian regulatory authorities.

The Consorzio welcomes Japan's new law, which shows that more and more countries realize the importance of offering a special protection for regionally based food product names.
 

Fabrizio Raimondi
Responsabile Ufficio Stampa
Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma
Via dell'Arpa 8/b - 43100 Parma
Tel. +39 0521 246242 - Fax +39 0521 243983
www.prosciuttodiparma.com

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