Vigilancia
The European Union Intellectual Property Office in Alicante will play a key role in Brussels new regulation aimed at strengthening the protection of origin designations and protected geographical indications against unfair competition. The EUIPO is set to establish an alert system to detect illegal use of these marks in online commerce. It will also manage the EU register for products backed by these protection schemes. Meanwhile the seven protected designations in the province welcome the changes, while asking for the practical tools and resources necessary to enforce them.
The regulation approved recently seeks to safeguard the 3,626 origin designations and quality indications across the EU, including 377 in Spain and seven within Alicante. It requires governments to take administrative and judicial steps to curb online misuse of these marks. In practical terms, domains that fraudulently use a DOP or IGP name will be closed or access will be blocked geographically to limit their reach. This is intended to create a robust framework that deters misrepresentation in the digital marketplace and preserves the value of authentic products.
That is where the EUIPO enters the picture. The office will implement a comprehensive information and alert system for these domains, as confirmed recently by EUIPO officials. They note, however, that the exact design and operation of this tool are still being refined. The intention is to provide real time signals to stakeholders and authorities so actions can be taken quickly against infringing domains.
Additionally, the new regulation assigns the EUIPO the responsibility to manage the EU register in this area. The office has already collaborated on related protection efforts for agricultural products, including the development and maintenance of a platform previously known as Glview. That database now serves as the most complete search resource for geographical indications
and will soon expand to cover artisanal and industrial products. The EUIPO is expected to oversee the EU wide registration process for these indications, with filings anticipated to begin around December 1, 2025.
So what do the local designations and protected geographical indications in the province think of the regulation? All agree on the benefits of stronger protection, but they also stress the need for effective enforcement mechanisms. Eladio Martín Aniorte, manager of Alicante Wineries, notes that his sector has faced counterfeit issues in China. He adds that updating the regime aligns with new sales channels and materials. He further calls for greater specialization in the trademark rights associated with origin designations, which differ from private brand rights and deserve dedicated attention through the EUIPO.
Vigilancia (Continuación)
In a parallel assessment, José Escobar, president of Traditional Spirits of Alicante, points out that his sector ranks among the most affected by brand impersonation and urges authorities to equip the industry with effective countermeasures. The same concerns are echoed by the Nisperos de Callosa d En Sarrià leadership, with José Vicente Espasa describing the fruit as particularly delicate and not easy to market without proper protection. Yet he emphasizes that improving surveillance and controls is a positive step for the market as a whole.
Francisco Oliva, head of Elche’s Granada Mollar, welcomes the push to streamline the process for registering new designations of origin. He recalls that it took eight years in his case and expects the timeline to be shortened for the Aspe and Agost area expansion. Beatriz Rocamora, director of the Vinalopó Embolsada Grapes, views it as a major win that a designation cannot be sold without the DO’s authorization. Lola Llorens of Cerezas Montaña de Alicante adds that online sales are substantial for their product and more oversight is welcome.
Finally, Virgilio Picó, deputy director of Turrones Picó, highlights how the Alicante and Jijona confectioners have gained better control over illicit trade through regulatory bodies and sees the EU move as a positive step forward for the sector.
In short, the regulation promises to tighten the grip on online misrepresentation while accelerating the legitimate registration and use of origin designations and geographic indications across the EU. The coming months will reveal the specifics of the alert tool and the operational details needed to translate the framework into practical, day to day protection for producers, retailers, and consumers alike.
Citizens and industry players will monitor the process closely, awaiting the formal rollout and the final rules that will define how swiftly and decisively infringements are addressed. The overarching aim remains clear: to defend honest producers and to ensure that consumers can trust the authenticity and quality tied to every DOP and IGP across Europe and beyond.
[Citations and official disclosures attributed to the EUIPO and regional industry representatives, with ongoing updates forthcoming in official notices.]