A trademark identifying the Cremonese instruments was strongly desired by the Cremona Chamber of Commerce together with the Consorzio Liutai e Archettai "Antonio Stradivari" CREMONA, as well as by the various craftsmen associations supported by the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Regione Lombardia as an attempt to put a seal of quality on modern stringed instruments made in Cremona that could be recognised throughout the world. It is an important attempt to give a qualitative edge to a traditional craft that works at the pace of the past using antique techniques, penalised by modern economic constraints that lead to standardised products and marketing.

The Cremona Liuteria trademark answers the request imposed by the professional development of the field, and is a fundamental first step towards protecting and safeguarding the instruments made in Cremona.

This operation is an advantage:

• more transparency for the market,
• safety for customers, who can be sure of buying guaranteed instruments,
• access to a databank allowing a permanent verification of the authenticity of the maker and the instrument.

Years of training, particular skills, special sensitivity and practical experience are required to become a stringed instrument maker; in order to make instruments that are excellent both in terms of sound and appearance high quality materials are required and great care must be taken over the process; therefore, the Cremona Liuteria trademark aims to:

• guarantee the handicraft characteristics and the origin of the instruments.
• supervise the instrument making activity.