Nathaniel Lipkus
Aug 7, 2020
Geographic indications were a major issue during the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) negotiations, Osler partner Nathaniel Lipkus tells Global News. In her article, author Amanda Connolly discusses a political dispute involving geographic indications and halloumi, and how Cypriot lawmakers voted against ratifying CETA - which could potentially threaten the free trade deal. As the article explains, while that outcome appears unlikely, Cyprus wants geographical protections on halloumi. According to the article, geographic indication is “basically legally protected status, often assigned to food products.” Nathaniel, a partner in Osler’s Intellectual Property Group, explains why this has been a contentious issue.
“Halloumi wasn’t protected as a geographic indication in the EU at the time CETA was being negotiated and so there wasn’t really a basis to include it in CETA, but I understand it’s incredibly valuable,” Nathaniel tells Global News.
Nathaniel also says that “while geographic indications aren’t something often used for Canadian products, they are a big deal for producers in European countries.”
For more information and what’s next for negotiations, read author Amanda Connolly’s article “Could Europe’s Cyprus halloumi dispute derail CETA? Maybe, but solution likely,” in Global News.