''Buldan Bezi'' (Buldan Cloth) was Registered!

The values of our country from past to present is under protection with 'Geographical Indication' registration. After Kars kashar cheese, 'Buldan Fabric' that belongs to Buldan, Denizli has been included in geographical indications. Along with the registration of Buldan fabric, the number of geographical indication products in our country has reached 188.

Highlighting that our national values protected with Geographical Indication will encourage not only branding trend but also the commercial life in our cities, Kemal Yamankaradeniz, the CEO of Destek Patent, noted: "Products that are registered with geographical indication are inspected and productions that don't conform to the standards are prevented. It means that geographical indication products can be produced in the specified areas within specified rules. Otherwise, the legal process will start and law enforcement will be applied as a result of illegal production of geographical indication products. All these processes not only increase the value of registered products and the tourism income of the region, but also revive the commercial life of the region with branded products."

And, "Our last geographical indication registration was 'Buldan fabric'. From now on, Buldan fabric will not be produced in a non-standard way and except in specified areas. With the registration of geographical indication, Buldan Chamber of Commerce has obtained the right to take legal action against Buldan fabric producers whose production does not conform to the standards and impairs the quality and originality of the product. So that the awareness will be raised of "Buldan fabric" and the way for the production of Buldan fabric will be cleared. The region's capacity of producing Buldan fabric will be increased so that those who put effort in this product will profit" he added.

The inspection mechanism after registration must work properly

Emphasizing that having the inspection mechanism work properly is as important as getting products registered, Yamankaradeniz noted: "Municipalities or chambers of commerce or industry, which have registered a product, must inspect the product as well. In order for a geographical sign to provide economic benefits to those who registered it, the inspection mechanism must work properly. Municipalities or chambers of commerce or industry, which have registered a product, have the right to take legal action against those whose productions do not conform to the standards, as a result of their inspections. Besides, if we truly trust our product, we must have it internationally registered too. The number of geographical indication products registered in Turkish Patent and Trademark Office has not reached 200 in years. The number of our international registrations is so few that it can be counted on fingers. The research suggests that there are around 2.500 products in our country which can be registered as geographical indications. We must appreciate these traditional products and make use of them. Registered geographical indication products will support the branding process of our cities and our country."