The IPKat slipped up in failing to note the battle between Turkey and Cyprus regarding Turkish delight (see this article in the Times). Cyprus is to gain PGI recognition for Loukoumi Yeroskipou, used to describe the sweet which is also known as lokum, or Turkish delight. While the Turks are casting aspersions on the ability of Greek Cypriots to make lokum, the Cypriots are responding that Turkey shouldn’t be able to control the name, since the sweet is also produced in Greece and Lebanon. In fact, it seems that the Cypriots aren’t trying to control the production of the sweet, but rather to raise to the profile of their loukoumi in export markets.
The IPKat notes that now that EU GI registration has been opened up to third countries, Turkey could equally well apply for registration. Regarding the scope of registration, the IPKat wonders whether consumers could be misled, or whether Turkey could gain any real advantage from evoking the Cypriot registration, bearing in mind that Turkish production is so much more famous. Meanwhile, ever the sceptic, Merpel notes the fabulous timing of a battle about Turkish delight just before Christmas.
