Identify unique, local products linked to a specific territory, such as wines, cheeses, or fruit.
Intellectual property rights: Intellectual property rights refer to the legal ownership and protection of creative works, inventions, and other types of intellectual property.
Geographical indications: Geographical indications (GIs) are types of intellectual property that are used to identify and protect products that originate from a specific geographic region.
History of GI protection: The history of GI protection dates back to the 19th century when countries began to protect the names of wines and spirits based on their geographic origin.
International framework for GI protection: There are several international agreements and treaties that provide a framework for the protection of GIs, including the Paris Convention, the Madrid Agreement, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
National laws: Many countries have specific laws and regulations that protect GIs, such as the European Union's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) schemes.
Application process for GIs: The application process for obtaining protection for a GI can be complex and involves submitting evidence of the product's origin and unique characteristics.
Enforcement of GI protection: Enforcement of GI protection involves monitoring and taking action against infringements of a protected GI, such as falsely labeling a product as originating from a protected region.
Benefits of GI protection: GI protection provides several benefits, including increased market value for protected products, protection of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, and maintaining quality standards for products.
Challenges of GI protection: Some challenges of GI protection include conflicting claims to a particular GI, difficulties in monitoring and enforcing GI protection, and the potential for exclusion of small producers from the market.
Future of GI protection: There is ongoing discussion and debate about the future of GI protection, including the need for increased harmonization of GI protection laws globally and the potential impact of digitalization on GI protection.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): This type of Geographical Indication is used to denote products that are produced, processed, and prepared entirely in a specific geographic area, and that possess qualities or characteristics that are essentially due to that area of origin.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): This type of Geographical Indication is used to signify products that are produced, processed, or prepared in a specific geographic area where the reputation, characteristics, or quality of the product are linked to that area.
Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG): This type of Geographical Indication is used to describe products that are traditional or have a customary name, and whose characteristics are linked to a specific geographical area.
Certification Mark: This is a type of Geographical Indication that is used to represent a geographical indication of origin, and is used to certify that a product has been produced or prepared in a specific geographic area, and meets certain quality or safety standards.
Collective Mark: This type of Geographical Indication is used to denote a group of producers, processors, or preparers that belong to a particular region or area, and produce goods or services that have certain regional characteristics or qualities.
Appellation of Origin: This type of Geographical Indication is used to signify that a product has been produced or prepared in a specific geographic area, and that the product possesses certain qualities or characteristics that are essentially linked to that area.