WHAT IS GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION?

Geographical indication indicates the source and the characteristic features of a product and assures the connection between these characteristic features and the geographical area for the consumers. Products, which are known with their quality, traditionality, raw material acquired from the local area and local qualification, are protected under geographical indication registration.

According to the article 34 of Industry Property Law numbered 6769;

Geographical indication

It indicates the product which is identified with its the local area, region or a country of origin for its distinct qualification, reputation or other features. Geographical indications are registered as protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication. Products of food, agriculture, mining, handicrafts, industry may be registered for geographical indication.

Protected designation of origin

If all or essential qualifications of a product originate from natural or human factors of a specific geographical area, the geographical indication is registered as “protected designation of origin”. All the production, processing or other processes of the product must be executed within the borders of specified geographical area. In this context, the geographical indications registered as protected designation of origin have a strong connection with their area of origin.

Protected geographical indication

Geographical indications, which are identified with a specific geographical area for its distinct qualification, reputation or other features and whose at least one of the production, processing or other processes must be executed within the specified geographical area, are stated as “protected geographical indication”. When the product, whose raw material, production or processing phase is executed in the local area, is registered as protected geographical indication, other production and processing phases may be executed outside the local area of origin.