The spectre of gastronomic imperfection has long haunted connoisseurs of the fine foods of regions in countries like France and Italy. But Canada has been less concerned about the protecting its homegrown flavours.
This means the Canadians are powerless to prevent others from usurping the name of their Montreal bagels, reported Jeff Roberts of the McGill University Centre for Intellectual Property Policy, an apparent devotee of the food.
This could change, however, as an office set up in Quebec province in 2006 is working to protect its local specialities with IP, and proponents are hoping it catches on.
Separately, Canada has opposed in the World Trade Organization any expansion of high-level protection of geographical indications, product names associated with a particular place and characteristics, to products outside of wines and spirits.