The Consortium for Common Food Names, of which IDFA is a member, commended the decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reject trademark applications for “Le Gruyere” and “Le Gruyere Switzerland AOC.”
The rejection notice said the U.S consumer views gruyere as a style of cheese that can be made anywhere and is not just a cheese from Gruyere, Switzerland. The consortium believes this finding is an important victory for producers of gruyere outside of Switzerland, as well as producers of all types of common name products.