Melton Mowbray and some other products aren't trademarks - they are made by more than one producer. However, they are protected under EU law so that only suppliers in a particular location, making them to a specific specification can produce them. That's the same as for Champagne, Parmesan cheese, etc. The law only applies in the EU, EEA, and I assume those countries the EU has trade deals with. So there's nothing to stop US companies producing and selling "champagne " within the US but they can't export it to the EU, EEA, etc. If there's a no deal Brexit UK producers will probably lose any of this protection until the UK implements equivalent laws and trade deals. Incidentally, it's why there's no such thing as vegetarian "parmesan". The controlled specification for parmesan defines the use of animal rennet in its production. So anything described as vegetarian parmesan isn't, although it might be "parmesan style" but often it's because cooks or waiters don't realise it's not veggie.
Michael Ixer ● 2633d