In this article, an attorney for Trader Joe’s doesn’t want to be insulting as he defends the chain’s obvious trademark infringement on Papa Pallermo’s well-known (to people who listen to Milwaukee Admirals broadcasts or Internetcasts) brand:
As you are aware, Palermo is a prominent city in Sicily, Italy, having a style of pepperoni pizza distinctive to the region.
Erm, yes, of course I knew that. Where’s Wikipedia when I need it?
Of course, this settlement will only last until the EU gets its way and prominent European locations are treated as trademarks when it comes to foodstuffs, but hey, you win the ones you can.
Before too long it will be impossible to sell a hamburger which wasn’t made in Hamburg or a cheeseburger which wasn’t made in Cheeseburg.
You thought I was kidding?
EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) / Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).