Georgian authorities were banned from exporting from Armenia to Russia a fermented milk product with marking “Matsun”, “Armenpress” reports. The prohibition was introduced due to the fact that Georgia patented its national product “Maconi” as an intellectual property product.
Matsun, which manufactures Marianna, cannot be exported to Russia through Georgia, because she registered “Maconi” as its geographical indication (Geographical Indication, Gi). After that, the manufacturer began to export Matsun to Russia with the inscription “Armenian Mountain Yoghurt.”
According to the press secretary of the Minister of Economy of Armenia, Gayane Antonyan, the authorized body on the intellectual property of Armenia presented objections to the registration of the name “Marty” in the relevant bodies of the European Union and Georgia in 2011. Then Armenia explained his appeal by the fact that the name “Mazoni” is similar to the degree of mixing with the Matsun dairy product produced in Armenia. But the appeal was not taken into account.
According to Antonyan, Armenia finds out with the Georgian side of the use of geographical guidelines.
The company “Marianna” reported that Russia does not object to the use of the name “Matsun”. However, since the product is exported from Armenia to Russia through Georgia, there is a problem with labeling. Georgia registered a geographical indication many years ago, but until recently, no requirements were presented, and there was no prohibition and obstacles, added to the company.