WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS290/6
1 May 2003
(03-2352)
Original:  English
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – PROTECTION OF TRADEMARKS
AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS AND FOODSTUFFS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from the United States
The following communication, dated 29 April 2003, from the Permanent Mission of the
United States to the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission, the Permanent Mission ofAustralia and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with
Article 4.11 of the DSU.
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This concerns the request for consultations by Australia on European Communities –
Protection of Trademarks and Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs ,
circulated on 23 April 2003 (WT/DS290/1).  My authorities have instructed me to notify the
consulting Members and the Dispute Settlement Body of the desire of the United States to be joined in
these consultations, pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes .  The United States has a substantial trade interest in these
consultations.  They concern Council Regulatio n (EEC) No. 2081/92, regarding which the United
States has requested its own consultations (WT/ DS174/1 and WT/DS174/1/Add.1).  This regulation
protects trademarks and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs in the
European Communities, but does not offer adequate protection to US geographical indications and
trademarks.
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