Welcome to our site
The American Origin Products Association (AOPA) exists to unite farmers and producer groups across the U.S. who are committed to producing specialized agricultural goods that are linked to a specific region of origin. We invite you to read more and join us.
What we've been up to:
The US-Chinese Trade War, The USPTO, and the role of AOPA
AOPA works actively with its members and the USPTO on behalf of American agricultural producers, their brands, and their unique, quality products. Among the list of the 128 American goods to be subject to punitive tariff hikes in China, most are agricultural crops and goods, ranging from fruit and nuts to wines. With the rise in these prices on the Chinese market, American Origin Products are likely to be more vulnerable to cheap imitation goods.
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
.Recently, the AOPA congratulated the new Director of the United States Patent and Trademark office on his appointment and looks forward to working closely with him and the USPTO to preserve, protect and promote American Origin Products, and build a stronger American rural economy.
On February 8th, 2018, The Honorable Andrei Iancu was sworn in as the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as well as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. As the Office charged with registering and managing American patents and trademarks, the USPTO is one of the key agencies responsible for helping producers of regional specialty goods remain competitive.
AOP producers rely on the USPTO to establish their brands and to support their claims to geographically based origin and quality. In addition to developing their own trademarks and brands, many local American producers use geographic indications of their production areas as markers of authenticity, distinctiveness and reputation, which is considered a form of intellectual property by the WTO. Sound origin claims are of paramount importance, not only to producers fighting off fraudulent competitors, but also to consumers who are growing more and more demanding of authentic, quality agrifood products. Today in the US, a system for registration and protection of geographical indications exists only for wines, known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
In the letter to Director Iancu, AOPA recalls the extent to which the prevalence of fraudulent activity surrounds AOP goods, at home and abroad, and how this adversely affects their producers and consumers. “…This behavior damages the product's regional reputation, disadvantages the veritable producers, propagates consumer misinformation and confusion, and damages the reputation of the authentic local producers.” AOPA will be encouraging the USPTO to help AOP producers protect their goods and brands on the global market, as well as to develop a streamlined, more producer-friendly system for geographical indications.
The letter to Director Andrei Iancu can be viewed by clicking the first of two PDF links below. The second PDF consists of a letter addressed to Agricultural Secretary Sonny Perdu from Californian Senator Diane Feinstein regarding the concerning implications of the US-Chinse trade war on Californian agriculture.
On February 8th, 2018, The Honorable Andrei Iancu was sworn in as the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as well as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. As the Office charged with registering and managing American patents and trademarks, the USPTO is one of the key agencies responsible for helping producers of regional specialty goods remain competitive.
AOP producers rely on the USPTO to establish their brands and to support their claims to geographically based origin and quality. In addition to developing their own trademarks and brands, many local American producers use geographic indications of their production areas as markers of authenticity, distinctiveness and reputation, which is considered a form of intellectual property by the WTO. Sound origin claims are of paramount importance, not only to producers fighting off fraudulent competitors, but also to consumers who are growing more and more demanding of authentic, quality agrifood products. Today in the US, a system for registration and protection of geographical indications exists only for wines, known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
In the letter to Director Iancu, AOPA recalls the extent to which the prevalence of fraudulent activity surrounds AOP goods, at home and abroad, and how this adversely affects their producers and consumers. “…This behavior damages the product's regional reputation, disadvantages the veritable producers, propagates consumer misinformation and confusion, and damages the reputation of the authentic local producers.” AOPA will be encouraging the USPTO to help AOP producers protect their goods and brands on the global market, as well as to develop a streamlined, more producer-friendly system for geographical indications.
The letter to Director Andrei Iancu can be viewed by clicking the first of two PDF links below. The second PDF consists of a letter addressed to Agricultural Secretary Sonny Perdu from Californian Senator Diane Feinstein regarding the concerning implications of the US-Chinse trade war on Californian agriculture.
| AOPA_USPTO_LETTER |
| Feinstein_Perdue_Trade Letter |
AOPA in our nation's Capital
On November 7th, 2017, The American Origin Products Association (AOPA) held a special wine and cheese tasting for the Congressional Wine Caucus. Over 150 guests were present at Rayburn House Office building to taste local wines from Maryland as well wines from Oregon’s reputed growing region of Willamette. Among the organizers were AOPA members Colehour Bondera of Kona Coffee Farmers Association, Isaura Andaluz of Cuatro Puertas New Mexican Chile Nativo and Pat Kole from Idaho Potatoes. This convivial gathering was the occasion for American producers of specialty, region-based products to meet face-to-face with lawmakers to showcase the unique character of their products, and to discuss the economic importance of American-made, place-based products- both to our national economy, and to the local regions where these products build a secure employment base.
The event began with words from Wine Caucus Co-Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) about the beauty and value of American wines and other home-state products. Then, AOP Executive Director Jim Smith welcomed the group and introduced Nancy Radke, who presented an economic case study on the value of geographically distinctive agricultural products for the audience.
The Wine and Cheese Tasting with the Congressional Wine Caucus is the first of many more successful AOP events to help improve policy makers’ understanding of the value of geographically distinctive agricultural products. Make sure to follow us by joining our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest happenings from within the association, including events, partnerships, testimonies, and product features.
The event began with words from Wine Caucus Co-Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) about the beauty and value of American wines and other home-state products. Then, AOP Executive Director Jim Smith welcomed the group and introduced Nancy Radke, who presented an economic case study on the value of geographically distinctive agricultural products for the audience.
The Wine and Cheese Tasting with the Congressional Wine Caucus is the first of many more successful AOP events to help improve policy makers’ understanding of the value of geographically distinctive agricultural products. Make sure to follow us by joining our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest happenings from within the association, including events, partnerships, testimonies, and product features.
