| The issue of extending geographic indicator protection to products other than wines and spirits has created wide divergences between demandeurs and opponent countries at the WTO. This article examines the economic impacts of the proposals submitted at the WTO by these two groups of countries, focusing mainly on market access, generic names and impacts for the consumer in North America. Results from our survey show that reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers in North America would be more important in improving market access for EU geographical indications (GIs) than would GI extension. In addition, it would appear that North American consumers may not benefit from extension of protection to products other than wines and spirits.. |
