Trademark protection for Scotland’s national drink has been secured in Burma as whisky exports to the newly democratic country more than doubled last year.
Burmese authorities have granted Scotch whisky special protection as a collective trademark in a breakthrough that will help protect against fakes, the industry’s trade body said.
The protection means action can be taken more effectively against products wrongly being sold or passed off as Scotch whisky.
Alan Park, Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) legal adviser, said: “This will allow us to protect Scotch whisky against products illegally being sold or passed off as Scotch.
“Products suspected of misleading consumers and damaging the legitimate trade are already under investigation and may become the subject of legal action using the protection now given to Scotch whisky in Burma.”
The British Ambassador to Burma, Andrew Patrick, added: “Scotch whisky is recognised worldwide as a distinctive and high quality British product and I am delighted that the Burmese authorities have taken steps to recognise and protect this.
“A robust legal framework is of great importance to foreign investors in any market and the British Embassy is supportive of the Burmese Government’s efforts to develop this.”
Scotch Whisky exports to Burma jumped 65% to £2million last year from £888,734 in 2012.