Strengthening the protection of geographical indications (GIs) is one of 72 topics chosen from key proposals of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) this year. Focusing on the above topic, the 14th CPPCC National Committee held its eighth biweekly consultative seminar in Beijing recently,pooling wisdom on solving difficulties and weaknesses bothering GI administration and protection and finding new path.
Promoting high-level GI protection
China invokes two modes to protect GIs- special protection and trademark protection, both of which have their own features and strengths. Devoid of uniform standards and procedures,however, causes repeated protection and unsettled right holders,begging the legislation of a law dedicated to GI.
In light of the situation, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) will hasten the legislative process, formulate a GI legal system fitting China's situation, coordinate the relation between protection on GI product, trademark protection and quality control, and integrate and synchronize the above two modes to amplify the effect, according to CNIPA Commissioner Shen Changyu at the seminar.
An increasing number of "red labels" can be found at prominent positions of product display at expos or retail markets thanks to a stretch of China's emphatic measures in unification and standardization of the use of GI special symbols. Since enacting the reform on the use and certification of GI special symbols in 2019, the CNIPA has delegated the certification power to provincial IP administrations,further matching GI production companies' needs in using the symbols.As of the end of June 2023, China had certified a cumulative number of over 25,000 business entities to use GI special symbols.
The development of GI products also relies on casting eyes on the world.In the past few years, China has been executing signed GI agreements including the one with the European Union (EU), and promoting mutual recognition and protection of GI products with the EU, France and Thailand to deepen GI international cooperation.Among other things, China and the EU have completed the publication of the second batch of 350 Chinese and EU GI products that would be mutually recognized and protected.Shen added at the seminar that the CNIPA will actively participate in GI norm setting under the multilateral framework by tabling Chinese proposals,contributing Chinese wisdom and defending Chinese interests.
Driving economic growth of rural specialities
As of the end of June 2023, China had certified a cumulative number of 2,498 GI products, 80% of which were agricultural and forestry products and food, proving that most GI products are local rural specialities. It is safe to say the quality of the use of GIs ties heavily with development and prosperity of the rural industry and profound implementation of the rural revitalization strategy.
In recent years, the CNIPA has been constantly upgrading the use of GIs and invoking the GI tools to aide revitalization of rural areas on the basis of implementing the GI utilization and promotion projects. Since announcing the list of the first batch of key GIs that would receive guidance for use in 2021, the CNIPA has been gradually giving guidance to more recipients,enabling GIs to contribute significantly to revitalize rural areas and promote economic development with unique regional strengths.
"Da Hong Pao of Mount Wuyi,Mao Feng of Yellow Mountain, Long Jing of West Lake - These are historically big names of tea. But can consumers distinguish whether they are from genuine origins? My answer is 'No'," He Yixin, Member of the CPPCC and Chair of Board of Wuyistar Tea referred to the problem haunting GI products at the seminar.
Inflicting higher prices upon infringers and lowering the rates of infringement may usher GI brands onto a path of healthy development. He Yixin advised the installment of a GI use and exit mechanism featuring strict certification and loose removal of title and a GI product retraceable system. On the one hand, data standards should be unified to allow GI data's connection and sharing across the country; On the other hand, strict measures should be executed on retracing GIs, and big data and WeChat mini- programs can be used to allow consumers to search information.
GI is more than an important type of IPRs, but an embodiment of the humanism of a country and its people.With the continuing advancement of China's efforts in GI, more authentic "rustic taste" GI products are expected to venture out of the country and take on the world stage. (by Su Yue)
“加强地理标志保护”是今年全国政协72个重点提案选题之一。近日，十四届全国政协第八次双周协商座谈会（下称座谈会）在京召开，围绕该议题协商议政，聚焦地理标志管理、保护等方面的难点堵点和短板弱项，广谋良策，共话新机遇。
共话高水平专门保护
当前，中国对地理标志的保护主要分为专门保护和商标保护两种模式，地理标志保护的渠道各有特色和优势，但由于标准不一、程序各异，造成了重复保护、产品保护权利主体错位等现象。在此情况下，加快地理标志专门立法的呼声日益高涨。
针对上述现状，中国国家知识产权局局长申长雨在座谈会上表示，中国国家知识产权局将加快推动地理标志立法进程，构建符合中国国情的地理标志法律制度，协调好地理标志产品保护与商标保护及质量监管等工作的关系，注重两种模式的融合协调，实现倍增效应。
走进各大展会、商超，可以发现越来越多的“红标”出现在商品展示的显著位置，这得益于中国近年来在统一、规范地理标志专用标志使用方面开展的一系列有力举措。自2019年组织开展地理标志专用标志使用核准改革试点以来，中国国家知识产权局将专用标志使用核准权限下放至省级知识产权管理部门，让地理标志生产企业的用标需求得到进一步满足。截至2023年6月底，中国累计核准使用地理标志专用标志经营主体已超2.5万家。
地理标志产品的发展，还需放眼世界。近年来，中国积极落实中欧地理标志保护与合作协定等，推动中欧、中法、中泰地理标志产品互认互保，地理标志国际合作不断深化。其中，中欧双方已完成中欧地理标志产品互认互保第二批350个产品清单公示。申长雨在座谈会上表示，下一步，中国国家知识产权局将继续积极参与多边框架下地理标志国际规则制定，提出中国方案，贡献中国智慧，维护中国利益。
助力“土特产”经济腾飞
截至2023年6月底，中国累计批准地理标志产品2498个，其中80%以上是农林产品及食品——地理标志产品大部分属于地方“土特产”。可以说，地理标志运用水平，关系着乡村特色产业的发展壮大和乡村振兴战略的深入实施。
近年来，中国国家知识产权局不断提升地理标志运用水平，在深入实施地理标志运用促进工程的基础上，开展地理标志助力乡村振兴行动。自2021年发布首批地理标志运用促进重点联系指导名录以来，中国国家知识产权局逐步扩大重点联系指导范围，有效发挥地理标志对促进乡村振兴和区域特色经济发展的积极作用。
“武夷山大红袍、黄山毛峰、西湖龙井……这些历史上久负盛名的茶品，消费者能不能辨识其是否来源于正宗产地呢？我的回答是：不能。”座谈会上，全国政协委员、武夷星茶业有限公司董事长何一心道出了地理标志产品面临的困境。
提高造假售假成本，降低产品冒牌率，有助于地理标志品牌走上良性发展的道路。为此，何一心建议建立严进宽出的地理标志使用和退出机制，并建立健全地理标志产品可追溯体系。一方面，要出台统一数据标准，实现全国地理标志数据互通共享；另一方面，严格执行地理标志产品可追溯管理办法，同时利用大数据、小程序等为消费者构建准确便捷的查询平台。
地理标志不仅是一种重要的知识产权，还彰显着一个国家和民族的人文精神。随着中国地理标志工作的深入推进，期待更多原汁原味的“乡土味”地理标志产品走出国门、享誉全球。（苏悦）
Diverse GIs in splendid China
Mouth- watering food, aromatic tea, delicate handicraft, quality geoherbs... On this land, an abundance of rural specialities armed with GIs dress up villages and decorate people's life. The following part selects some very Chinese GI products to show their customs to readers.
多彩地标 大美中华
令人垂涎的美食、满口留香的茗茶、制作精良的手工艺品、品质上乘的道地药材……在华夏大地，多姿多彩的地理标志“土特产”扮靓了美丽乡村，也装点了人们的美好生活。本部分节选了一批“中国范儿”十足的地理标志产品，与读者一同领略其背后的乡土风情。
Chinese Thorowax Root becoming a money cow
As one of the three major production areas of Chinese Thorowax Root, Hebei's She County is cultivating the Thorowax Root-based Chinese medicine herb industry into a money cow. It acquired GI protection in 2016 and was registered as a GI certification mark in 2019.
柴胡花开产业兴
作为中国柴胡三大主产区之一，河北省涉县近年来推动以柴胡为主的中药材产业成为富民兴县的重要抓手。2016年，涉县柴胡获地理标志产品保护；2019年，获准注册地理标志证明商标。
Lasting flavor of Mao Feng tea of Yellow Mountain
Since its induction into the second group of GIs claiming mutual recognition and protection under the China - EU GI protection and cooperation agreement, Anhui's Mao Feng tea of Yellow Mountain has been making its name on the international market. It acquired GI protection in 2002 and was registered as a GI certification mark in 2017.
黄山毛峰茶韵浓
安徽黄山毛峰茶自入选中欧地理标志保护与合作协定第二批互认互保名录以来，品牌逐渐传响国际市场。2002年，黄山毛峰茶获地理标志产品保护；2017年，获准注册地理标志证明商标。
Deft hands weaving Qingshen bamboo
Qingshen Bamboo Weaving, a technique excelled by local craftsmen in Qingshen County of Sichuan Province, can be classified into five categories- graphic, three-dimensional,porcelain body, simulation bamboo weaving and bamboo furniture, which carry over 3,000 kinds of products. In 2011, it acquired GI protection.
巧手编织青神竹
青神竹编在四川省青神县手艺人的巧手下，已形成平面竹编、立体竹编、瓷胎竹编、仿真竹编和竹编家具五大类，拥有3000多个品种。2011年，青神竹获地理标志产品保护。
Tasty Dingxi potato glass noodles
Dingxi Wide Glass Noodles have a crystal and transparent appearance and a smooth and crisp taste. In recent years, authorities of Dingxi City of Gansu Province have been inspiring scale development of the glass noodle industry and cultivating consumers' habit of eating their glass noodles. In 2023, it was registered as a GI certification mark.
定西“薯”粉唇齿香
定西宽粉晶莹剔透，劲道爽滑。近年来，甘肃省定西市大力推动宽粉产业规模化发展，让消费者食用定西宽粉的习惯逐步形成。2023年，“定西宽粉”获准注册地理标志证明商标。
（编辑：晏如 责任编辑：吕可珂 审校：崔静思）
