One of the objectives of the Tequila Regulatory Council is to safeguard of Origin Tequila in Mexico and the world.
Tequila enjoys intellectual property protection in 57 countries.
Zapopan, Jalisco on June 10, 2024.- In favor of the Appellation of Origin Tequila (AOT), was the resolution of the Board of Appeal (SDR) of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), for avoid registering the “Dutch Genquila” trademark, considering that it evoked the national drink par excellence of Mexico; The Tequila Regulatory Council A.C. (CRT) filed an opposition to this registration, reflecting its ongoing efforts to protect the AOT.AOT
Tequila, the first Mexican Appellation of Origin, is protected in the European Union, since 2006 as a Collective Brand and since 2019 as a Geographical Indication.
“According to the Board of Appeal’s resolution, similarities were found between the contested mark and the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Tequila,’ particularly due to the shared ending ‘quila,’ which suggests an association with this Geographical Indication. The Board also considered that European Union consumers are likely to establish a clear and direct link between the contested mark applied to the wine and the spirit drink, constituting an ‘evocation’ within the meaning of Article 21(2)(b) of the Regulation. Factors such as the similarity of being alcoholic beverages, their packaging, sales channels, and marketing potential were also taken into account,” said Ricardo Soto Manzanares, Head of Legal Affairs at the CRT.
Tequila currently enjoys intellectual property protection in 57 countries, including Collective Brand, Certification Mark, Geographical Indication, or Appellation of Origin status. This allows for the application of legal actions under the intellectual property laws of those countries against anyone attempting to imitate Tequila or use this Appellation of Origin without authorization. This protection ensures that consumers can enjoy an authentic product. Appellation
For three decades, safeguarding the Appellation of Origin Tequila in Mexico and worldwide has been a primary objective of the Tequila Regulatory Council. Through its departments, such as International Affairs and Customs Finished Product Assurance, the CRT continuously monitors foreign markets to identify products that may misuse the term ‘Tequila. Appellation.
This year, the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) published the new European Parliament Regulation on quality schemes for wines, spirits, and agricultural products. This regulation establishes clear conditions for the use of trade names of Geographical Indications on labeling, including the obligation to mention the producer. It also extends the legal protection of Geographical Indications to internet domain names..
Tequila’s global market position is frequently threatened by those seeking to capitalize on the years of work invested by all sectors of the tequila agroindustry, aiming to benefit from its prestige, identity, legacy, and tradition. .
This recent resolution in Europe in favor of the Appellation of Origin Tequila is an example of the joint work carried out by the CRT with the authorities in the matter and also constitutes an important precedent that strengthens not only the protection of Tequila in Europe but also all Appellations of Origin in the world.
