In a recent decision, the European Court of Justice opined that only cheeses bearing the protected denomination of origin (PDO) ‘Parmigiano-Reggiano’ could be sold under the denomination ‘Parmesan’. The decision has set a valuable precedent in the EU for numerous other cases where European geographical indications, worth billions of Euros and having cultural and historic value are threatened by counterfeiters around the world. In reaching this decision the court interpreted and elaborated the concept of ex officio protection of geographical indications in Europe.
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