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placeholder="Search WIPO" type="text"> <button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical Indications</a></li> </ul> <div class="dropdown nav__on-this-page"><a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">On this page <strong class="caret"></strong></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu--on-this-page"> <li><a href="#gi">GI basics</a></li> <li><a href="#topics">GIs in action</a></li> <li><a href="#laws">Law and treaties</a></li> <li><a href="#sc">Standing Committee</a></li> <li><a href="#symposia">International Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="#services">Registering and searching</a></li> <li><a href="#related">Related links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="content"> <h1>Geographical Indications</h1> <div class="main"> <h2 id="gi">What is a geographical indication?</h2> <p class="lead">A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. In addition, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin. Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.</p> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__01" data-parent="#accordion_01" data-toggle="collapse"> What rights does a geographical indication provide?</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__01" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>A geographical indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. For example, in the jurisdictions in which the Darjeeling geographical indication is protected, producers of Darjeeling tea can exclude use of the term “Darjeeling” for tea not grown in their tea gardens or not produced according to the standards set out in the code of practice for the geographical indication.</p> <p>However, a protected geographical indication does not enable the holder to prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques as those set out in the standards for that indication. Protection for a geographical indication is usually obtained by acquiring a right over the sign that constitutes the indication.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__02" data-parent="#accordion_01" data-toggle="collapse"> For what type of products can geographical indications be used?</a></div> <div id="accordion__collapse__02" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__heading"><a class="accordion__toggle collapsed" href="#accordion__collapse__03" data-parent="#accordion_01" data-toggle="collapse"> How are geographical indications protected?</a></div> <div class="accordion__heading"> </div> <div id="accordion__collapse__03" class="accordion__body collapse"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>There are three main ways to protect a geographical indication:</p> <ul class="dot__list"> <li>so-called <em>sui generis</em> systems (i.e. special regimes of protection);</li> <li>using <a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/ip_business/collective_marks/collective_marks.htm">collective</a> or <a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/ip_business/collective_marks/certification_marks.htm">certification marks</a>; and</li> <li>methods focusing on business practices, including administrative product approval schemes.</li> </ul> <p>These approaches involve differences with respect to important questions, such as the conditions for protection or the scope of protection. On the other hand, two of the modes of protection — namely <em>sui generis</em> systems and collective or certification mark systems — share some common features, such as the fact that they set up rights for collective use by those who comply with defined standards.</p> <p>Broadly speaking geographical indications are protected in different countries and regional systems through a wide variety of approaches and often using a combination of two or more of the approaches outlined above. These approaches have been developed in accordance with different legal traditions and within a framework of individual historical and economic conditions.</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="box"> <p>Read the <a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/faq_geographicalindications.html">full list of geographical indication FAQs.</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="media media--publications box"> <p class="featured">Featured</p> <div> <figure><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/symposia/2017/"><img src="/web/20180606195047im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/geo_indications/images/e_yangzhou_500.jpg" alt=""/></a></figure> </div> <div class="media-body"> <h3><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/symposia/2017/">Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications</a></h3> <p class="tertiary">Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, June 29 to July 1, 2017</p> <p>The Symposium provides a forum for exchanging ideas and perspectives on issues relating to the use and protection of geographical indications. It also offers technical insights and information on recent developments in the field.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2><a name="topics"></a>Geographical indications in action</h2> <p>From Switzerland’s Gruyère cheese to Mexico’s Tequila, geographical indications and appellations of origin are a common feature of everyday life. They not only provide a way for business to leverage the value of their geographically unique products, but also inform and attract consumers. Read more in "<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=272">Geographical Indications - An Introduction</a>"</p> <div class="col col--one"> <div class="media"> <figure><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/geographical/952/wipo_pub_952.pdf#page=8"><img style="width: 600px;" title="f_2612698321_739a70d381_z_600" src="/web/20180606195047im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/f_2612698321_739a70d381_z_600.jpg" alt="Roquefort cheese maturing in a natural cave"/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: fuzyboy)</figcaption> </figure> <div class="media-body"> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/geographical/952/wipo_pub_952.pdf#page=8">Roquefort cheese</a></h3> <p>The unique blue cheese from France is aged in natural caves around the Roquefort-sur-Soulzon region and protected using geographical indications.</p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="col col--two"> <div class="media"> <figure><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/02/article_0003.html"><img title="e_GogoChanadiri_600" src="/web/20180606195047im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/e_gogochanadiri_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: Gogo Chanadiri)</figcaption> </figure> <div class="media-body"> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/02/article_0003.html">Georgian wine</a></h3> <p>Geographical indications help the ancient Georgian wine industry to unlock its potential.</p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="col col--three"> <div class="media"> <figure><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=2595"><img title="e_LizWest_600" src="/web/20180606195047im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/e_lizwest_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: Liz West)</figcaption> </figure> <div class="media-body"> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=2595">Pinggu Peaches</a></h3> <p>The Pinggu district north of Beijing, China, bills itself as the biggest peach farm in the world, providing employment for over 150,000 people.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--two line"> <h2><a name="laws"></a>Laws and treaties</h2> <p>A number of international treaties deal partly or entirely with the protection of geographical indications or appellations of origin. Below are links to relevant treaties administered by WIPO, as well as to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).</p> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>Relevant treaties administered by WIPO</h3> <ul class="dot__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/paris/">Paris Convention</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/madrid/">Madrid Agreement for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/lisbon/">Lisbon Agreement</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid/">Madrid Agreement</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid_protocol/">Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/intel2_e.htm" target="_blank">Overview of the TRIPS Agreement on the WTO website</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">IP laws and treaties (WIPO Lex)</a></h3> <p>The WIPO Lex database is a comprehensive search tool that allows you to search national laws and international treaties on intellectual property.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2><a name="sc"></a><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/sct.html">Standing Committee (SCT)</a></h2> <div class="main"> <p>The Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT) is the forum where WIPO's member states discuss policy and legal issues relating to the international development of law and standards for geographical indications and appellations of origin.</p> <h2 class="header">Meetings and documents <a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic.jsp?group_id=63"><button class="btn btn-info">Archive</button></a></h2> <div id="wipo-topics" class="listings listings--archive" data-number="2" data-xml="/meetings/en/includes/topic.xml?group_id=63"></div> </div>  <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180606195047im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/f_wipo_30286350592_600.jpg" alt="Delegates at a meeting of the SCT"/> <figcaption>Delegates at a meeting of the SCT (Photo: WIPO). More SCT photos on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/tags/sct/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>.</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div>  <div class="content cols--three line"> <h2><a name="services"></a>Registering and searching appellations of origin</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/">The Lisbon System</a></h3> <p>The Lisbon System provides a means of obtaining protection for appellations of origin in several countries. This can be done by filing one application with the International Bureau of WIPO, in <strong>one</strong> language, with <strong>one</strong> set of fees in <strong>one</strong> currency.</p> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/diplomatic_conferences/2015/en/">Diplomatic Conference 2015</a></h3> <p>A Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a New Act of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration will take place from May 11 to 21, 2015.</p> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/lisbon/search-struct.jsp">The Lisbon Express database</a></h3> <p>The Lisbon Express database is the first step in appellation of origin searches. The database can provide a general overview of international appellations of origin registered with WIPO.</p> </div> </div>  <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <h2><a name="symposia"></a><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/symposia/">International Symposium on GIs</a></h2> <p>The biennial International Symposium on Geographical Indications (GI) brings together government representatives with producers of GI-registered products, legal and other specialists, for an open exchange of views on various issues related to geographical indications.</p> <p>It contributes to the ongoing debate at the national and international level. Speakers' <a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=28143">presentations</a> contain a wealth of information on the practical use of GIs and appellations of origin in different countries.</p> </div>  <div class="complementary"></div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2><a name="related"></a>Related links</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>Information resources on GIs</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/">Case studies</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic.jsp?group_id=14">Documents and meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/freepublications/en/">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/">Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180606195047/http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/">Country information</a></li> <li><a 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