Portuguese Handkerchief Secures EU GI Protection

The traditional Lenços de Namorados do Minho (Love Handkerchiefs of Minho) has become the first Portuguese craft product to be registered under the European Union’s new system for craft and industrial geographical indications (GIs).

A GI is an intellectual property right that protects the name of a product whose quality, reputation or other distinctive characteristics are intrinsically linked to a specific geographical area and the traditional skills of the people who produce it. While the EU has long protected agricultural products such as wines, cheeses and spirits through GIs, the new scheme extends similar protection to craft and industrial products.

The registration of the embroidered handkerchiefs recognises the close connection between the product, northern Portugal and the centuries-old embroidery techniques used to make them. Traditionally exchanged as tokens of affection during courtship, the handkerchiefs remain an important symbol of Portuguese folk culture and artisanal heritage. The registration protects the name across all EU member states against misuse, imitation and unauthorised commercial exploitation.