In some cases, the use of geographically descriptive food or beverage names can be limited to manufacturers located in a certain country or region (i.e., champagne, tequila and parmigiano-reggiano). A group of Swiss and French producers recently filed an application with the USPTO to limit the use of GRUYÉRE to cheese made in the Gruyére region which meets strict local production requirements. The American cheese industry filed oppositions to challenge the registration of this mark, on the claim that the term gruyere for cheese is generic and therefore ineligible for registration.

Source: USPTO

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