IP roadmap – Geographical indications in Canada

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Geographical indications in Canada

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is responsible for processing requests for the protection of geographical indications (GIs) and ensuring that they are entered on the list of protected GIs maintained by the Registrar. A geographical indication can identify a wine or spirit, or an agricultural product or food of a category set out in the Trademarks Act.

  1. Request

    A request may be submitted to CIPO to have a GI entered on the list of protected GIs in Canada for wines, spirits or agricultural products and food (for example, cheeses or fresh frozen and processed meats).

    Requests and all supporting documentation must be submitted in writing and be in either English or French (except for the GI itself). A separate request must be made for each GI, accompanied by the prescribed fee.

    The responsible authority making the request may use the sample forms available on CIPO's website.

  2. Examination

    CIPO examines the request for compliance in cooperation with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. If an indication meets the criteria to be entered on the list of protected GIs, CIPO will recommend that the Minister publish a statement proposing to do so.

  3. Publication

    The GI is published on the CIPO website to notify third parties. Within 2 months after the publication of the statement, any interested party may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, file a statement of objection with the Registrar of Trademarks and serve a copy on the responsible authority.

  4. Objection

    If a third party objects, the procedure will go before the Trademarks Opposition Board.

  5. Listing

    The GI is entered on the list of protected GIs. The Registrar of Trademarks enters the indication on the list of GIs if a statement of objection has not been filed or if a statement of objection has been filed but has been withdrawn or rejected.

  6. Term protection

    The term of protection is unlimited.

For more information on GIs, visit CIPO's trademarks web page or contact our Client Service Centre at 1-866-997-1936.

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Except as otherwise specifically noted, the information in this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the Department of Industry, provided that due diligence is exercised in ensuring the accuracy of the information reproduced; that the Department of Industry is identified as the source institution; and that the reproduction is not represented as an official version of the information reproduced, or as having been made in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, the Department of Industry.

For permission to reproduce the information in this publication for commercial purposes, please fill out the Application for Crown Copyright Clearance or contact the ISED Citizen Services Centre mentioned above.

Ⓒ Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry,

2021

Aussi offert en français sous le titre Feuille de route de la PI – indications géographiques au Canada.

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