Which WTO agreement established the legal framework for protecting geographical indications?

The TRIPS Agreement established the WTO’s legal framework for protecting geographical indications.

TRIPS stands for the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. It entered the WTO system in 1995 and sets minimum standards for several forms of intellectual property, including copyright, patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications.

A geographical indication identifies a product as originating in a particular place when a quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially linked to that origin. Examples commonly discussed in connection with geographical indications include Champagne, Tequila and Roquefort, although the precise legal protection varies between jurisdictions.

TRIPS contains general protection for geographical indications and stronger special rules for wines and spirits. It does not create one single worldwide registration system. That distinction causes a frequent misunderstanding: the agreement establishes minimum standards that members implement through national or regional law, while disputes about particular names may still involve detailed legal and political disagreements.