Designations of Origin an Geographical Indications

In order to apply for international registration of the designation of origin, the company must previously have the designation protected in its own country. It is not a designation of origin which can be registered all over the world, but only in the countries which are signatories of the Lisbon Agreement. One application can obtain designation in all the countries.

The application for registration can only be filed by a group of producers or processors (Regulatory Council), or exceptionally, by an individual or legal entity. In the case of designations for a cross-border geographical area, several groups may file a joint application.

Designations of origin for food products can be protected both on an international and a community level.

A Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is the name of a region, or a specific place or, in exceptional cases, a country, which serves to designate a farming or food product: -which comes from that region, specific place or country, -which possesses a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics which can be attributed to the aforementioned geographical origin, and -whose production, processing and preparation are carried out within the determined geographical area.

A Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is the name of a region, or a specific place or, in exceptional cases, a country, which serves to designate a farming or food product: – which comes from that region, specific place or country, – whose quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively attributable to the geographical environment with its natural and human factors, and – whose production, processing and preparation are carried out within the determined geographical area.