A geographical indication is a sign used on goods that have a specific
geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that
place of origin. Most commonly, a geographical indication consists of the
name of the place of origin of the goods. Agricultural products typically
have qualities that derive from their place of production and are influenced by
specific local factors, such as climate and soil. Whether a sign functions
as a geographical indication is a matter of national law and consumer
perception. Geographical indications may be used for a wide variety of
agricultural products, such as, for example, "Tuscany" for olive oil
produced in a specific area of Italy (protected, for example, in Italy by Law
No. 169 of February 5, 1992), or "Roquefort" for cheese produced
in France (protected, for example, in the European Union under Regulation (EC)
No. 2081/92 and in the United States under US Certification Registration Mark
No. 571.798).
