GAZIANTEP - Gaziantep Chamber of Industry (GSO) is getting prepared to procure the patent of "baklava", which caused intense discussions between Turkey and Greek Cypriots last year on "national dessert" issue.
The industry chamber in southeastern city of Gaziantep applied for the registration of "Baklava of Antep" as "a geographical indication" in March 2005. Besides, Turkish Patent Institute reached the final phase of the activities it carried out in order to issue the patent for the product.
After the application is published in the Official Gazette and national & local media, the registration will become definite unless any objections are received.
Chairman of Turkish Patent Institute Yusuf Balci stated that a geographical indication was a sign which either defined a regional product or referred to a region with its qualifications.
Balci also indicated that "the right to obtain a geographical indication" was a "national right" just like brand mark, patent and design rights.
"In other words, you get a protection in the country you applied for such registration," Balci said, underscoring that a registration in Turkey, would provide a protection within the borders of the country.
Replying to a question on whether there were any other countries in the world which applied for the registration of "baklava", Balci said there were different applications in different parts of the world concerning the "geographical indication".
"We could answer this question, if we observe the related countries` legal regulations and applications only," Balci said.
Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry found in many cuisines of the Middle East, the Balkans and South Asia and developed in Ottoman cuisine. It is made of chopped nuts, usually walnuts or pistachios, layered with phyllo pastry, sweetened with sugar or honey syrup. In Turkey, it is particularly associated with the city of Gaziantep.