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SWA secures trademark for Scotch in South Korea

Published:  07 May, 2019

Scotland’s national drink has secured enhanced legal protection in South Korea after the Scotch Whisky Association’s (SWA) application to register “Scotch Whisky” as a Certification Trademark was successful.

The Certification Mark for “Scotch Whisky” enhances the industry’s legal protection in South Korea, which is currently dealt with through the EU-South Korean free-trade agreement.

“By securing a Certification Trademark in South Korea, the SWA has ensured continued legal protection for Scotch Whisky post-Brexit,” said Lindesay Low, legal deputy director of the SWA.

“The industry takes the legal protection of Scotch Whisky very seriously and this is just the latest legal success which shows the SWA will continue to set up legal frameworks that enable us to take action to stop the sale of fake and counterfeit products that unfairly take advantage of the quality and reputation of Scotch Whisky.”

The SWA has acquired a range of intellectual property rights over the years that ensure that the national drink is recognised and protected across the industry’s extensive export markets, with registered intellectual property rights in over 100 markets around the world ensuring Scotch Whisky is officially recognised as a Scottish product, produced according to traditional methods, and deserving of special protection. 

Amongst other things, Scotch Whisky must be aged in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years and bottled at a strength of no less than 40% alcohol by volume.

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