A geographical indication is usually a place name giving the origin of the goods to which it is applied. These goods usually have a quality which can only be obtained if they are produced in the specified place, for example, because of the climate, or local soil conditions, or quality of the water.

Geographical indications are mostly used in relation to agricultural products, but may also be applied to other products which rely on human or other factors.

This is a fairly recent form of intellectual property protection, which was introduced to protect the public from deception, whether deliberate or otherwise. It means, for example, that if you buy Scotch whisky, you know that it is made in Scotland, and it not a product made in the same way as Scotch whisky, but elsewhere (eg in Japan).

In order to have a name recognized as a geographical indication, the place needs to have acquired a reputation for a particular type of product and a quality or qualities associated with it. A geographical indication therefore helps to protect and enhance that reputation.

A geographical indication is not generally owned by one particular trader and so does not function in the same way as a trade mark (i.e. to distinguish the goods or services of one trader from those of others). It can be used by anyone who meets the set criteria.

Geographical indications are protected by International Treaties, and signatories of these treaties then incorporate protection into their own national laws, either by amendment of existing laws, or the creation of new ones. Geographical indications are therefore ultimately enforced under national law.

Some place names have, however, become synonymous with particular styles of product, regardless of where they are produced, for example Dijon for mustard, and Cheddar for cheese, and so are not protected as Geographical Indications.