Geographical indications and designations of origin

 

General Information

A geographical indication or a designation of origin or is the name of a product whose quality, reputation or other specific characteristics are related to its geographical origin. A designation of origin or a geographical indication can be used to protect the name of agricultural products and foodstuffs, wine, spirit drinks, aromatised wine products, mineral waters and salts, as well as craft and industrial products whose final quality or characteristics are given by natural conditions or are linked to a defined geographical area by tradition and reputation that can be associated to their geographical origin.

A designation of origin (CHOP; Protected Designation of Origin, PDO) is a name which identifies a product originating in a specific place, region or, in exceptional cases, a specific country, whose given quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment with its inherent natural and human factors, and for which all stages of production take place within the defined geographical area.

The symbol to be used with a protected designation of origin is:

A geographical indication (CHZO/ZO; Protected Geographical Indication, PGI) is a name which identifies a product originating in a specific place, region or country, whose given quality, reputation or other characteristics are associated primarily to its geographical origin and for which at least one stage of production takes place within the defined geographical area.

The symbol to be used with a protected geographical indication is:

A designation of origin or a geographical indication may be used by any producer who places on the market a product manufactured in accordance with the applicable product specification.

Designations of origin and geographical indications are a collective right of all current producers in the defined area, in contrast to trade marks, which are always the exclusive property of a specific person.

The protection for a designation of origin or a geographical indication is not time limited. Unlike other industrial property rights, no renewal or maintenance fees are payable.

In view of the development of European Union legislation, it is only possible to register and protect designations of origin and geographical indications at the level of the European Union as a whole, under the relevant EU legal acts.

 

Legislation

An overview of legislation related to designations of origin and geographical indications can be found in the Legislation section.