By King & Wood’s Trademark Group

A "geographic indication" is a sign used on a product that indicates a specific geographical origin and that the product possesses qualities or a reputation or other features that are associated with that place of origin. That is, the sign represents the geographical origin of the goods in a certain territory or area or region within the territory.  The specific quality, reputation or other features of the goods are primarily related to the place of origin.  Even if goods fall within the same category, they share a different quality and reputation due to the natural or cultural factors of different geographical origins.

The geographic indication is considered one of the most important symbols that distinguishes between goods of different origins.  The protection of geographic indications can prompt economic development in a specific area or a country, and can also protect the legal interest of the manufacturer and consumers of the goods marked with the geographic indications.  As such, the protection of geographic indications needs to be consolidated.Continue Reading Protecting Foreign Geographic Indications in China

作者:金杜律师事务所商标

地理标志,是指标示某商品来源于某地区,该商品的特定质量、信誉或者其他特征,主要由该地区的自然因素或者人文因素所决定的标志。也就是说,地理标志代表了在某个特定区域或在某个特定区域内的地区的商品的原产地。而该商品的特定质量、信誉或其他特征在很大程度上与商品的原产地密切相关。即便是同种类的商品来自于不同的地区,由于自然因素或人文因素的不同导致商品的质量和信誉也不尽相同。

地理标志目前已经成为区分商品来源的最重要的标志之一。对于地理标志的保护不仅可以刺激某个特定地区或国家的经济发展,而且可以保护生产商和消费者的合法权益。因此,对于地理标志的保护是十分必要的。Continue Reading 外国地理标志如何在中国获得保护?

By King & Wood’s Trademark Practice

On December 16, 2009, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China announced that it approved the registration of Cognac as a geographic indication, which is the first foreign geographic indication protected in China. On October 9, 2010, Scotch whisky was also recognized as a geographic indication, as a result of three-year discussion between the Scotch Whisky Association and the Chinese government. This will provide better protection for Cognac and Scotch whisky in China, which will also guarantee purchase of genuine Cognac and Scotch Whisky to the local consumers.Continue Reading Cognac and Scotch Whisky obtain GI Protection in China