October 3, 2003	Friday	Sha’aban 6, 1424

GENEVA, Oct 2: A panel will study a complaint by the United States and Australia that European trademark law offers more protection to home grown products than foreign goods, a World Trade Organization source said on Thursday.

“They have just agreed to establish a panel,” said the WTO source, adding that the US, Australia and European Union had a month to agree on who should comprise the three-person body.

“Australia and the United States say that European Community legislation discriminates to protect European goods over foreign goods,” the source added.

“They want the EC to change the legislation.” Once it is formed, the panel will have half a year to study the case before delivering a verdict. The parties involved could appeal the ruling, in which case a body established by the WTO would consider the legal aspects and make a final decision, the source explained.

Washington launched an initial complaint with the WTO’s dispute settlement body in April this year, alleging the European Union (EU) failed to protect the United States trademarked geographic names. “Such trademarked names are important in signifying the quality and origin of products such as Idaho Potatoes and Florida Oranges,” the Office of the US Trade Representative said in a statement.

According to Washington, foreign products are only afforded equal protection in the EU if the country of origin guarantees the same protection for European goods.

For its part, Australia lodged a similar complaint, saying European rules “may diminish the protection for trademarks”.—AFP