In this section, the speakers will present the challenges in relation to enforcement of geographical indications in the marketplace, on-line and in trade, drawing in particular on the initiatives and experience of the EUIPO’s Observatory in relation to the enforcement of geographical indications and trade marks, as well as right holders’ expectations. Please click on the presenter name below to view their content:
Mr. Massimo Antonelli is a Senior Customs Officer at the Italian Customs and Monopoly Agency, currently seconded at the EUIPO’s European Observatory on infringements of IPR as a national expert. For the Italian Customs he served as Head of Control Office and Anti-fraud Activities for the Customs of Como in 2011-2013 and then assigned to the Central Directorate for International Cooperation in Rome in 2014. Starting from 2007, he took part in several international cooperation projects as an expert, project manager and ‘resident advisor’. Within the Observatory, he works in the Law Enforcement Team as a customs expert. He was the project manager of the EUIPO’s ‘Study on national control system of GI in the Member States’. He has graduated in Law and has a master’s in tax law.
Mr. Simone Calzi is the Head of the Legal Office at the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma, the Association of Parma Ham producers. Mr Calzi is responsible for Parma Ham protection all over the world, especially referring to the markets where the product is sold. The enforcement activity focuses mostly on PDO infringements, trade marks registration and oppositions. He coordinates the surveillance activity carried out by Parma Ham inspectors also together with Official Public Authorities. Mr Calzi is specialised in labelling rules required by EU and Third Countries. He also deals with Parma Ham exportation in third countries, giving assistance to companies on the rules and the certifications needed because of his position, his diplomatic activity includes relations with the Italian Government Ministries (Ministries of and Agriculture and Foreign Affairs), Embassies, European Commission, foreign Govern Authorities, and GIs Organisations (AICIG, ORIGIN).
Simone focused his studies and attention on Geographical Indications protection after he graduated in law in 2002, cooperating in some case studies together with the Parma University of Law, thanks to which he was hired by the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma (January 2004). He is admitted in the Parma Lawyers Bar.
Mr. Francis Fay is Head of the Unit responsible for geographical indications, in DG AGRI. He has extensive international experience in agricultural trade and issues pertaining to Geographical Indications, having headed the unit for relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Francis has also led negotiations for the agricultural elements of the Economic Partnership Agreements. He read law at Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland).