geographical-indication
GI

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

A geographical indication (GI) provides assurance of a product's characteristics, which are attributable to its geographical origin. Read on to find out more about registering and managing GIs.

What is a Geographical Indication?

A geographical indication (GI) refers to an indication used in trade to identify a product that originates from a particular territory, which has given the product its special quality or reputation.

A GI usually contains the place of origin of the product. Well-known GIs include:

Wine

Type: Wine
Origin: Champagne

Spirit

Type: Spirit
Origin: Tequila

Cheese

Type: Cheese
Origin: Roquefort

Tea

Type: Tea
Origin: Darjeeling

Pepper

Type: Pepper
Origin: Kampot

Rice

Type: Rice
Origin: Hom Mali


Each of these products exhibits a specific quality or reputation that is attributable to its territory of origin.

Here are the benefits and term of protection of geographical indications:

A GI gives assurance to consumers that the product they buy comes from a particular place and has unique characteristics or qualities associated with the GI. It differentiates the product identified by the GI from other products that are not labelled with the GI.

Once a GI is registered in Singapore, it enjoys enhanced protection where GI labels cannot be used on products which do not come from the place indicated by the GI, even if consumers are not misled as to the true geographical origin of the goods in question.
Once a GI is registered, it will be protected for 10 years from the date of registration. The registration may be renewed upon its expiry every 10 years.