Geographical Indications
A Geographical Indication identifies goods as originating in a specific locality or region, where the quality, reputation or characteristics are essentially attributable to that geographic origin.
Documents & Forms
What is a Geographical Indication?
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign which identifies goods as originating in a specific locality or region in a country whereby the quality, reputation or other characteristics are essentially attributable to that specific locality or region. There must be a clear link between the product and the original place of production, as the quality depends on the geographical place of production.
Examples include: Darjeeling Tea (India), Cuban cigars (Cuba), Champagne (France), and Tequila (Mexico).
Geographical Indications are primarily used for agricultural products, foods, spirits and wines, as well as industrial products.
GI vs. Trademark
A Geographical Indication identifies goods as originating in a specific place and therefore the name used as a GI must be that of the geographical area. A Trademark, on the other hand, is a visible sign that can distinguish the goods or services of one trader from those of other traders — it can be fanciful or arbitrary and may include words, names, signatures, colours, designs, letters, numbers and the shape of goods or packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Geographical Indications are protected in accordance with national laws. In Barbados the relevant legislation is the Geographical Indications Act, Cap. 320, which grants protection to GIs whether or not they are registered under the Act, together with the Geographical Indications Regulations, 2001.
The protection afforded to Geographical Indications under the legislation is indefinite.
Yes. Geographical Indications serve to differentiate products on the market as they identify the place of origin which suggests that the products have a particular quality or characteristic for which the product is known and which is valued by consumers.
An application is filed at the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, Ground Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael. The cost of an application is $500, the publication fee is $200, and the registration fee is $2,500.
The application must clearly identify the Geographical Indication for which registration is sought, the relevant geographical areas, the goods, as well as the quality, reputation or other characteristics of the goods for which the GI is used.
Geographical Indication rights are territorial. This means that these rights are limited to the country where protection is granted.
Need to register a Geographical Indication?
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