On October 16, CNIPA released an official seal for geographical indications (GIs). According to relevant regulations including the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China and the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China, CNIPA is competent for registering GIs and rendering official protection. The outgoing seal is still valid before the new one is used officially and its transitional period will last until December 31, 2020.
A principal of CNIPA's IP Protection Department introduced that the official seal for GIs is designed to reflect authority, representation, versatile to suit and easy to identify.
The same principal said that the release of the seal represents a solid step CNIPA has taken in unifying operations relating to GI certification. Regulations governing the use of the seal will be formulated separately by CNIPA. In implementation of the relevant requirements of institutional restructuring, the Administration will facilitate relevant work of unifying GI certification systems, making efforts to achieve a unified GI receiving channel, examination standard, publication of gazettes, special seal, protection and supervision.
Source: China IP News
