What is a Geographical Indication?
A Geographical indication is an indication which identifies any goods as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
Examples of Global Geographical Indications;
Café de Colombia (Colombia), Bordeaux (France), Kampot Pepper (Cambodia), Penja Pepper (Cameroon) and Scotch whisky (UK).
Examples of Geographical Indications in Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, Ceylon Sapphire
Legal Framework for GIs in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s legal system recognizes Geographical Indications under the Intellectual Property Amendment Act No. 08 of 2022, which provides a framework for their registration and protection. However, until recently, there was no comprehensive regulatory mechanism for GI registration.
By Extraordinary Gazette dated 22nd October 2024, regulations governing the registration of Geographical Indications were introduced. Subsequently, on 27 th February 2025, the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), launched the first Local Geographical Indications Registry in Sri Lanka.
Applicants seeking to register a Geographical Indication must submit an application in the prescribed form, as specified in the First Schedule of the Regulations, along with the required documentation and the processing fee outlined in the Second Schedule of the Regulations, to the Director General of NIPO.
