Silent registered EU GIs: what is at stake?

The present paper investigates the topic of ‘silent registered Geographical Indications’ (GIs), defined as GIs that after their registration, or nonetheless during a relevant period of time, have fallen into disuse or are employed considerably beyond their expected potential. In particular, by applying an empirical methodology, the research will constitute the first attempt to analyse and measure this phenomenon from an EU perspective, especially, although not exclusively, in the context of Italian GIs. First results highlight the extent of the silent GIs phenomenon and the need for further investigation to understand the reasons behind it. The issue of silent GIs can be tackled from two diverging perspectives: one considers silent GIs as detrimental to the GI system as a whole, while the second argues the need to maintain their protection in view of the prevention of generalisation of GIs and the indirect economic effects they can still play.