What are geographical indications and designations of origin?
A geographical indication is the name of a geographical area or another sign indicating that a product or service originates from a specific geographical area and possesses certain quality and characteristics attributed to that origin.
A designation of origin is a more specific form of protection and necessarily implies an essential or exclusive influence of specific natural and human factors of a particular geographical environment, resulting in distinctive quality and characteristics of the product or service.
For designations of origin, it is generally required that the production, preparation, and processing of products and services take place entirely within the designated area.
In addition to names of geographical areas or signs indicating that a product or service originates from a specific geographical area, designations of origin may also protect traditional geographical and non-geographical names used to designate products or services originating from a region or place, provided they meet the prescribed conditions.
Geographical indications and designations of origin are protected as intellectual property to prevent their misuse or unauthorized use, as they contribute to greater market value of products and services corresponding to their special characteristics and the reputation thus acquired.
An effective system for protecting these designations also benefits consumers and the general public by promoting fair market competition and good business practices. The protection of these designations also supports economic development, particularly in rural areas, by retaining the working population and encouraging family farms in those areas, and by preserving and developing specific or traditional production and services.
Protection of a geographical indication as intellectual property is achieved through the implementation of an appropriate registration procedure conducted by the competent authority. Once registered, a geographical indication or designation of origin may be used collectively by all producers from the designated area who meet the prescribed conditions. As a rule, registration of users of the designation with the appropriate competent authority is also required.
Unlike other forms of intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, national legal systems regulating this area may differ considerably from country to country.
On products, a geographical indication or designation of origin is often used alongside the producer’s sign or logo (which may be protected by a trademark) to simultaneously emphasize the individual character and the common characteristic of belonging of the product.
Images retrieved on September 29, 2023, from the European Commission website.