It's an important distinction though. Some people can take it to mean that the IMC rating is therefore recognised in other other countries, when that is not correct at all.
I agree. I wasnt being pedantic, but it is an important benefit which can be overlooked if one assumes the rating has no relevance abroad. Until the EIR there is every relevance to be able to fly over an under cast to your VMC destination. Climbing out of the UK IMC and routing across the channel en route south is a classic example.
I know of three cases where DGAC has given written confirmation that the IMC rating is valid in France.