Federal Council
More trademark protection for watch manufacturers in Glashütte
A watchmaker adjusts the hands of a watch in a watch factory. The indication of origin “Glashütte” should be better protected in the future. Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/ZB/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Just as champagne is a protected geographical indication of origin, a similar rule is now to be introduced for Glashütte in Saxony.
The Federal Council has initiated more brand protection for watch manufacturers in Glashütte, Saxony.
The state chamber agreed to a proposal from Saxony for better protection of the “Glashütte” indication of origin. This establishes binding requirements for the use of the indication of geographical origin for watches. This is intended to give watchmakers better protection against misuse of the designation “Made in Glashütte”. Brands such as A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte Original, Nomos or Mühle stand for watches from Glashütte.
“The protection of the indication of origin ‘Glashütte’ is a great success for Saxony and an important signal for the traditional art of watchmaking in the Eastern Ore Mountains,” said Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU). The watches manufactured in Glashütte stand for a special quality and craftsmanship in the global competition. There are repeated attempts to copy products, especially from China. Saxony’s Justice Minister Katja Meier (Greens) said in the Bundesrat that Glashütte belongs to the small circle of places that do something so successfully and with such high quality standards that they have become synonymous with their craft.
According to the ordinance, only those watches may be described as “made in Glashütte” if 50 percent of the added value occurs in the city of Glashütte. Some work steps may also be carried out in the Bärenstein and Lauenstein districts of the city of Altenberg and in the area of the city of Dresden. However, central steps must be carried out entirely in Glashütte.