Geographical Indications Gateway

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that origin. An appellation of origin (AO) is a special kind of GI.

GIs are protected in accordance with international treaties and national laws under a wide range of concepts, including laws specifically for the protection of GIs or AOs, trademark laws in the form of collective marks or certification marks, laws against unfair competition, consumer protection laws, or specific laws or decrees that recognize individual GIs.

This page provides a gateway to WIPO’s activities, services and information in the field of GIs. These include the following:

 

International norms and standards

WIPO is responsible for the administration of a number of international treaties which deal partly or entirely with the protection of GIs or AOs, notably the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (article 10 and 10ter), and the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration.

WIPO works with Member States and interested organizations in the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT) to develop the international legal framework for GIs.

 

International registration

WIPO administers the Lisbon System, which was established under the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration in order to facilitate the international protection of AOs. The system offers a means of obtaining protection for an AO in the contracting parties to the Lisbon Agreement through a single registration. Registrations can be searched through the Lisbon Express database.

 

Information and debate

WIPO runs a range of seminars and workshops which aim to increase understanding of the use of GIs, and to help address the issues currently under debate.