Last but not least: Vaud stirs the magic potion
Everywhere, all over the world, people know that champagne comes from France. Everywhere? Almost everywhere: A small Gallic, er, Welsh village resists the giant with the rooster in its coat of arms incredibly steadfastly.
Everywhere, all over the world, people know that champagne comes from France. Everywhere? Almost everywhere: A small Gallic, er, Welsh village resists the giant with the rooster in its coat of arms incredibly steadfastly. What is its name? Champagne, of course! The village of 700 inhabitants sees no reason to give up its protected trademark "De Champagne Suisse" and is demanding that the Federal Council finally take action. With a postulate and a parliamentary initiative, the defenders of the products from the village of Champagne want to increase their pressure on the Federal Council. Their aim is to have their concerns included in the negotiations on an agricultural free trade agreement with the European Union.
They also want to pave the way for a revision of the federal law on the protection of trademarks and indications of source. "This matter is not only a Vaudois problem. On the contrary, it threatens all homonyms," all namesakes, FDP National Councilor Isabelle Moret told the media in Bern on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the producers from Champagne do not give up their fight against France. They did not intend in any way to give up the brand "De Champagne Suisse". France had given the village an ultimatum to this effect until Monday - under threat of legal action. The trademark was registered in June by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property: The trademark "De Champagne Suisse" for pastries and non-alcoholic beverages does not run counter to the bilateral treaties with the EU and the agreement with France on designations of origin.
Because of the Bilateral Agreements between Switzerland and the EU, the winegrowers of the village in Vaud have already had to give up the name "Vin de Champagne" and redesign the labels and advertising material. Since then, they have been fighting for recognition of the former designation. The French should beware of the fat, round villager who fell into the wine barrel as a small child. Otherwise they will soon be left without sandals. And in general, the play is not over until Troubadix has sung.
They also want to pave the way for a revision of the federal law on the protection of trademarks and indications of source. "This matter is not only a Vaudois problem. On the contrary, it threatens all homonyms," all namesakes, FDP National Councilor Isabelle Moret told the media in Bern on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the producers from Champagne do not give up their fight against France. They did not intend in any way to give up the brand "De Champagne Suisse". France had given the village an ultimatum to this effect until Monday - under threat of legal action. The trademark was registered in June by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property: The trademark "De Champagne Suisse" for pastries and non-alcoholic beverages does not run counter to the bilateral treaties with the EU and the agreement with France on designations of origin.
Because of the Bilateral Agreements between Switzerland and the EU, the winegrowers of the village in Vaud have already had to give up the name "Vin de Champagne" and redesign the labels and advertising material. Since then, they have been fighting for recognition of the former designation. The French should beware of the fat, round villager who fell into the wine barrel as a small child. Otherwise they will soon be left without sandals. And in general, the play is not over until Troubadix has sung.
