Armenian producers of matsun (matzoon, a fermented milk product) have been banned from exporting the product to Russia through Georgia since 2021 October because of the products name, which Georgian authorities say resemble the word ‘matzoni,” the name of the similar product produced in Georgia which has been кegistered as a geographical indication.
Geographical indication is a name or mark used on products that corresponds to a certain geographic location or place of origin, like cognac in France. Armenian producers had to change the name matzoon to "Armenian mountain yogurt," ARKA reports.
The Armenian Ministry of Economy told Armenpress that just like in the case of cognac and champagne in France, the name "matsoni" is registered in Georgia as a geographical indication. It has notified Armenian dairy producers that the name "matsun" is similar to the name "matsoni", which may cause problems when exporting products with that name through the territory of Georgia.
"Back in 2011, Armenia’s agency in charge of intellectual property filed an objection against the registration of the name "matsoni" in Georgia to the European Union and Georgia, arguing that this name could be confused with the matsun produced in Armenia. But the objection was not taken into consideration," said Gayane Antonyan, press secretary of the Minister of Economy.
She said the government was taking steps to clarify with Georgian counterparts the use of geographical indications.
"The Ministry of Economy has initiated legislative amendments to Armenian Law on Geographical Indications, which will allow the authorized state body coordinating the agricultural sector to register geographical indications in its name, as opposed to the current provision, according to which only producers can register geographical indications," Antonyan said.
According to her, the change in the law will allow registering the name "matsun" in the Republic of Armenia as a geographical indication. However, the product with the above name can be exported to other countries through the territory of Georgia only after signing an agreement with Georgia on mutual recognition and protection of geographical indications.
She added that at the meeting of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission the agreement on mutual recognition and protection of geographical indications was discussed. The provisions of the agreement and the lists of geographical indications registered in the two countries will soon be discussed in a joint working group.
