French domain <jambon-parme.com>, meaning “Parma Ham”, lost to the Consortium of Prosciutto of Parma, in a WIPO decision issued January 6, 2010.French decision here. English translation here.

The prosciutto consortium had Community Trade Marks for “PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA” (Italian) and “PARMA HAM” (English).  The sole panelist determined that a domain based on the French translation of these marks is confusingly similar and, in the absence of a response, orders the transfer of the domain.

Prosciutto -photo by Sun Taro

If you think that the domain <jambon-parme.com> is similar to <italianwine.com> or <frenchcheese.com>, think again.  Like Champagne (also here), the names of certain food products can be protected.