If to mention “Geographical Indicators” or Geographical Indications: GIs may make many people wonder or understand what they are. And how important or useful the Geographical Indication Protection Act 2003 gave the meaning of “Geographical indication” means a symbol or anything else used to refer to or represent a geographic source. And that can indicate that a product originating from a geographic source is a product of quality, reputable or possessing a unique feature of such geographic source Which geographic indication is a type of intellectual property 1
… Or it could be explained to make it easier to understand that Geographical indications are possible, there must be a link between nature and humans, that is, communities rely on traits that are unique to natural geographic sites, such as weather conditions. Or local raw materials To take advantage of the production of their local products. This results in a product with special characteristics that come from that area. This special feature can refer to the quality, reputation or other characteristic that comes from that geographic source.Geographical indications can be categorized in two ways:
- Direct Geographical Indication (Direct Geographical Indication), that is, it is a geographic name that is directly related to a particular product, such as Chaiya Phetchabun, etc.
- Indirect Geographical Indication, that is, a symbol used to indicate the geographic place of origin or production of a commodity, such as a district or province symbol.
Image of Ya Mo, the Eiffel Tower, etc. 2
The persons who have the right to apply for registration of geographical indications are (1) government agencies, state agencies, state enterprises, local government organizations. (2) natural persons, groups of individuals or juristic persons engaged in the business of goods used Geographical indications (3) consumer groups or consumer organizations of the products used Geographical Indication 3 It is noted that for the registration of a geographic indication it must be a known name.
Of consumers and has been mentioned or used before It is not something that can be re-imagined to apply for registration. And the person entitled to use a geographical indication under the law is the producer of the local goods and the merchant associated with the goods. (Not just the registrant) 4 However, a geographical indication cannot be owned by any individual or group. But only local residents have the right to joint ownership, so residents must jointly maintain the quality of the geographic indications in their area. In order to maintain the local reputation and identity
According to the Department of Intellectual Property Ministry of Commerce Since 2004 to present, for a period of 7 years, there are 35 items of GI: Geographical Indications registered, 5 divided into 29 Thai products, 6 foreign products, for example, Doi Tung coffee, roasted pork. Trang Sriracha Pineapple Silk Prae Wa Kalasin Sangyod Rice, Muang Phatthalung, Salted Egg Chaiya, Jasmine Rice, Surin Ban Chiang Pottery Machinery weaving Phanat Nikhom, Champagne, Scotch Whiskey, etc., showing that farmers or
Operators still lacking knowledge and understanding of the importance And the value or usefulness of a geographic indication that indicates the identity of the area or its differences from similar products from other sources. Or the need to register a geographical indication In addition, the government lacks adequate publicity and campaigning. So that those involved Or entrepreneurs realize the importance of searching and expediting the registration of geographic indications available in their area. For the benefit of keeping your identity Develop and maintain quality Create added value to the product. Including preventing counterfeiting from competitors in other areas And lack of publicity to stimulate awareness Point out And create the popularity of GI products to consumers, which we all, every department and every sector should play a role, pay attention and focus on doing so. Without passing the burden into the duty of any particular party In the next article, we will discuss the benefits of geographic indications for local entrepreneurs and consumers for the readers to know.
1. Department of Intellectual Property. The Protection of Geographical Indications Act 2003.
http://www.ipthailand.go.th/ipthailand/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=233&Itemid=470
Searched on September 9, 2011.2. Department of Intellectual Property. Manual for the Registration of Geographical Indications.
http://www.ipthailand.go.th/ipthailand/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=331&Itemid=251
Searched on September 14, 2011.3. Department of Intellectual Property. Manual for the Registration of Geographical Indications.
http://www.ipthailand.go.th/ipthailand/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=331&Itemid=251
Searched on September 13, 2011.4. Department of Intellectual Property. Geographical indications
http://www.ipthailand.go.th/ipthailand/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=24&Itemid=201
Searched on September 13, 2011.5. Department of Intellectual Property. Registration announcement.
http://www.ipthailand.go.th/ipthailand/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=372
Searched on September 9, 2011.
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