Geographical Indication Registration

What Is Geographical Indication Registration

Geographical Indication Registration, offered by Sistem Patent, protects products known by a specific geographical region or locality. The service secures the right of real or legal persons to control and use the product before the state.

Geographical indication registration brings the mark or name under legal protection. A geographical indication is one of the intellectual and industrial property rights. It is the mark identifying a product that has become identical, through a distinctive trait, reputation, or other qualities, with a locality, region, or country of origin.

Designation of Origin: when a product is from a defined locality, region, or country, and all or its core traits come from the human and natural factors of that geography, and its extraction, processing, and other operations all take place within that geography, the term designation of origin applies to the product.

Indication of Source: like a designation of origin, this applies when a product is from a defined locality or region and has become identical with that geography through a distinctive trait, with at least one of the production, processing, or other operations taking place within that geography.

The geographical indication registration process runs before TÜRKPATENT (the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office) under Decree Law No. 555. The geographical indication to be registered has to fall into one of the following classes:

• Minerals
• Natural products
• Agricultural products
• Industrial products
• Handicrafts and handicraft products

For protection in any other country, the geographical indication has to be filed in that country too. Sistem Patent manages your geographical indication registration filings and runs all required steps on your behalf.

What Sets Sistem Patent Apart

• Expert team: our experienced specialists support you professionally at every step.
• Full-scope consulting: we are with you not only during the application but throughout the registration and protection process.
• Strong technology infrastructure: we use the latest tools to deliver fast, effective outcomes.
• Client focus: we shape tailored solutions for each client and keep satisfaction at the center.

Filing Procedures

• Filing: the producers of the product covered by the geographical indication (real or legal persons), consumer associations, and public institutions related to the subject and geography may file. The filing is made before TÜRKPATENT.
• Consulting: applications may be filed through official patent and trademark agents. Filing through an agent is recommended.

Required Documents

• Name of the product to be registered
• Technical information and documents about the product
• Information and documents clearly defining the geographical boundaries of the locality, area, or region
• Information on the production technique of the product and any specific local techniques or requirements
• Criteria for how the product will be examined and supervised against the defined requirements
• Criteria for the physical and chemical examinations needed
• Details on who will carry out the supervision, how often, and through which methods
• The body or organization that will run the supervision and evaluation
• Detailed information and documents on how the designation of origin or indication of source will be used, including the producer’s brand, the required signs, and labeling styles

Opposition and registration process: the filing is examined in form by TÜRKPATENT. It is published in the Official Gazette and in major national newspapers. The opposition window runs 6 months, during which any opposition filed is reviewed. If no opposition is filed, the registration is finalized and the mark is entered in the geographical indication register.

Registering a geographical indication protects a product's quality and authenticity. It builds consumer trust and increases marketing value. Sistem Patent provides expert consultation and support for geographical indication registration.