The distinctive signs: implications of a collective mark against a denomination of origin

Abstract

This article part of the academic interest on two of the categories of distinctive signs, the collective mark and the appellation of origin. Colombia is a diverse country in many aspects, which influences its artisan products, agri-food products that make them have unique characteristics, which can make them worthy for their qualities of national and international recognition categories with a distinctive sign, such as a collective mark or a Appellation of origin. The first identifies products that respond to previously established use regulations that identify these types of products. The second one tries to protect them, as long as they meet the conditions of geographical and human factors that individualize them. Categories with conceptual differences, legal, social and economic aspects to have in the account when opting for one or other of these distinctive signs.

A qualitative methodology was used to analyze these distinctive signs. Both the collective mark and the appellation of origin, identify quality products, which lead to the choice of entrepreneurs, producers and the population in general to promote their products, to conclude that both the collective mark and the appellation of origin are categories that acquire importance due to their social, economic impact and the great beneficiary is the final consumer.