Mélusine: It not just about Champagne, there are lots of other protected goods like Cognac, Kalamata olives or Gorgonzola cheese to name a few. European Union does a pretty good job on protecting the rights of these labels. But i would guess that in the US very small percentage of "Parmegiano" sold is actually real Parmegiano cheese.

Here is a great article (or actually series of articles) about Kobe beef (and little bit about other protected labels also): http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/04/12/foods-biggest-scam-the-great-kobe-beef-lie/

According to that article it is not even possible to import Kobe beef to US legally. And still restaurants all around US have Kobe on their menus. I say its outragous!