Registration Available for Geographical Indications from 1st April 2019

As a result of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (“EUSFTA”) which was inked by Singapore and the EU in Brussels on October 19, 2018, the way was paved for a high level of protection for GIs in Singapore. Singapore’s new GIs Registry will be accepting applications from 1st April 2019. Applications will be processed in the same way as trademark applications and will undergo substantive examination and be published for opposition purposes.

Who can file?  

(i) Any person who carries on an activity as a producer in the geographical area concerned;

(ii) An association of producers; or

(iii) A competent authority having responsibility for the GI concerned.

Categories of goods?

(i) wines, spirits and beers;

(ii) cheeses;

(iii) meat and meat products;

(iv) seafood;

(v) edible and non-edible oils;

(vi) fruits and vegetables;

(vii) spices and condiments;

(viii) confectionery and baked goods;

(ix) flowers and parts of flowers;

(x) natural gum.

Information/documents required?

(i) Applicant’s name, address and nationality, and the capacity in which the application is made;

(ii) Representation of the GI;

(iii) Identification of the relevant country, region or locality;

(iv) Applicable goods;

(v) Description of the quality, reputation or other characteristics of the goods and how those are essentially attributable to the geographical origin of the goods;

(vi) Evidence that the GI has been registered or obtained recognition as a GI in the qualifying country of origin (where the GI relates to a qualifying country other than Singapore).