Certification and collective marks versus geographical indications in European Union and Italian law: Competition, cumulation or hybrid protection?

The article examines the relationship between geographical indications and certification and collective marks under European Union law and within the Italian legal framework. Although both regimes aim to enhance consumer trust and safeguard product reputation, they are grounded in distinct legal concepts. Geographical indications function as instruments that link product quality, characteristics, or reputation to a specific geographical origin, whereas certification and collective marks rely primarily on quality standards established by the mark proprietor or an association of producers. The Italian case study illustrates how certification marks are sometimes used as quasi-geographical indications, particularly in relation to non-agricultural products such as traditional crafts. However, the coexistence of these systems may give rise to regulatory uncertainty, a risk of consumer confusion, and potential legal conflicts. The paper concludes that the future development of the legal framework should seek to reconcile the flexibility of trademark-based mechanisms with the institutional and collective character of the sui generis system of geographical indications.

Celem artykułu jest analiza relacji między oznaczeniami geograficznymi a znakami certyfikacyjnymi i wspólnymi w prawie Unii Europejskiej oraz we włoskim systemie prawnym. Choć oba reżimy pełnią podobną funkcję, wzmacniając zaufanie konsumentów i chroniąc reputację produktów, opierają się na odmiennych podstawach konstrukcyjnych. Oznaczenia geograficzne koncentrują się na związku jakości z miejscem pochodzenia, natomiast znaki certyfikacyjne i wspólne opierają się na kryteriach jakości ustalanych przez właściciela znaku lub zrzeszenie producentów. Studium przypadku Włoch ukazuje możliwość funkcjonowania znaków certyfikacyjnych jako quasioznaczeń geograficznych, szczególnie w odniesieniu do produktów nierolniczych. Jednoczesne stosowanie obu systemów może jednak prowadzić do niejasności regulacyjnych, ryzyka wprowadzenia konsumenta w błąd oraz konfliktów prawnych. W konkluzji wskazano, że przyszły rozwój prawa powinien zmierzać do pogodzenia elastyczności mechanizmów znakowych z charakterem systemu sui generis oznaczeń geograficznych.

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