19.12.2011 - Vinexpo news selection
The China Trademark Office has rejected an application by Ying June Wine Company from Shenzhen to register the brand “Fracognac” in line with recommendations from the National Cognac Board (BNIC) and INAO, which were both against this request. This refusal to accept a brand name obviously made up of “cognac”, a geographical indication (GI) that has been recognised and protected in China since 2010, and the particle “fra”, which clearly refers to the country of origin of the GI in question, sets a useful precedent in a country where consumption and production of brandies is growing. In 2010, China imported 1.9 million cases of cognac worth $950 million. (V&S News – 25 November 2011)