Designation of origin (D.O. o D.O.C., in France Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, AOC) is a distinctive mark used to protect different food products on a pointed area, against producers from other areas that wanted to get benefits from the name of the former producers achieved through a long term experience. One public organism authorizes to show the D.O. mark to the producers.
Also we can say that this mark is a kind of a geographical indication based on an agricultural product where it's quality features are due, basically, to the land where the product is grown and produced.
The producers that choose to join the D.O., get compromise on :
1- Assuring high product quality and also permanent quality level of the product to the consumer with it's own features.
2- Keeping traditional knowhow.
