Chapter 1 – Introduction to Geographical Indications: Origin and Characteristics

Geographical indications (GIs) acquired global relevance in 1994 with their legal protection as an intellectual property right (IPR) in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The term GI was coined to encompass a variety of expressions already in use in other international treaties and national legislations, such as appellations of origin. The new term was given a specific definition in Article 22.1 of th...