Recently, the Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration issued a notice regarding the determination of the implementation list for the 2024 Geographical Indication Protection Projects. There are a total of 44 projects, including 9 tea-related items: Huangshan Maofeng Tea, Lu’an Gua Pian, Zhenghe White Tea, Lushan Yunwu Tea, Enshi Yulu, Xiangyang Gaoxiang Tea, Sanjiang Tea, Duobei Tea, and Ziyang Selenium-rich Tea.
In recent years, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance to geographical indication protection work, incorporating the “Implementation of Geographical Indication Protection Projects” into important policy documents such as the “Outline for Building a Powerful Intellectual Property Nation (2021–2035).” Within the 15 special projects of the “14th Five-Year Plan for National Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization,” a specific “Geographical Indication Protection Project” has been established, clearly outlining key tasks.
At the beginning of this year, to thoroughly implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, and in accordance with the requirements for the “Implementation of Geographical Indication Protection Projects”—aiming to increase support for the development of geographical indication protection and enhance its capacity and level—the Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration formulated the “Implementation Plan for Geographical Indication Protection Projects,” based on actual working conditions.
The “Implementation Plan” proposes seven key tasks revolving around the work objectives: first, establishing and improving the geographical indication protection system; second, establishing a coordinated mechanism for geographical indication protection; third, constructing a catalog of key protected geographical indication resources; fourth, strengthening characteristic quality assurance and control for geographical indications; fifth, intensifying the supervision of geographical indication protection; sixth, accelerating the comprehensive development of geographical indications, promoting their integration with “Time-honored Brands” and “Intangible Cultural Heritage,” promoting the creation of GI cultural tourism projects and routes, developing industrial tourism, and exploring the construction of GI tourism bases; seventh, consolidating the fundamental guarantees for geographical indications.
It is reported that any geographical indication applying for the implementation of the protection project must have been recognized as a national geographical indication product for more than 2 years, or have been registered as a collective trademark or certification trademark for more than 5 years. Furthermore, the products must possess superior quality and characteristic features, and producers using the specialized GI logo must follow standardized production and management practices, with expected high economic, social, and ecological benefits. Products from National Geographical Indication Product Protection Demonstration Zones are not eligible to apply for these protection projects.
The “Implementation Plan” specifies that once a geographical indication protection project is approved, the China National Intellectual Property Administration will provide professional guidance and policy support in areas such as building the GI protection system, strengthening rapid collaborative protection, professional talent cultivation, and facilitating the approval of use for specialized logos. Outstanding implementation projects will be given priority consideration during the application and evaluation process for National Geographical Indication Product Protection Demonstration Zones. Local intellectual property management departments will strengthen resource guarantees for selected geographical indications, actively strive for policies and financial support favorable to GI protection development, organize experts to provide professional guidance for selected GIs, and coordinate all parties to promote the resolution of key difficulties and challenges in project implementation.
Published by: China Cooperation Times & Tea Weekly All-Media
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Author: Lam Sam (LamSam), the Old Tea Head
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