It’s a cold shower for the cutlers of Laguiole (Aveyron). The National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) indicated, this Monday, April 11, that their application for a protected geographical indication (IGP), filed in November 2020 by the Syndicate of Aveyron manufacturers of the Laguiole knife under the name “Couture de Laguiole”, was rejected.
An aberration for the seven manufacturers of North Aveyron who want to prevent counterfeits of the famous knife surmounted by a bee. This decision comes at a time when another group of knife manufacturers, notably bringing together cutlers from the town of Thiers (Puy-de-Dôme), also filed an application for an IGP in January under the name ” Couteau Laguiole”, still under study.
Aveyron cutlers will appeal
“It’s disgusting, because this decision goes against the law which must protect consumers, protests Honoré Durand, president of the Union of Aveyron manufacturers of the Laguiole knife, representing nearly 220 employees for a figure of business of 15 million euros. This law pleads the attachment to a manufacturing territory which is our case since our union represents 95% of the payroll and the turnover generated in the zone that we had defined. We do not want to enter the area deposited by Thiers, because it is inconceivable to manufacture a Laguiole knife 200 km from the village. »
The INPI must decide in mid-June on the file of the cutlers of Puy-de-Dôme, filed by 38 companies, representing 400 jobs for a turnover of 43 million euros. The Aveyronnais cutlers will appeal the decision of the INPI before the Court of Appeal specializing in intellectual property law in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône).