What You Need To Know About Geographical Indications In Canada

A geographical indication (GI) is a type of intellectual property defined in the Trade-marks Act. GI refers to a name, sign or other indication used to identify a wine, spirit, agricultural product or food as originating in a country, territory, region, or locality that is of a quality, reputation or other characteristic attributable to that geographical origin.

From a consumer's perspective, GIs function to indicate to the consumer that the products are made from a particular region or that the products contain characteristics unique to those manufactured from a particular region. Many GIs have important economic and cultural value to the territories they represent. By way of example, Napa Valley, Okanagan Valley, Champagne, Port, and Asiago are protected GIs in Canada.