Geographical Indication: Designation of Origin or Geographical Indication?

Products known by the name of a region — a cheese, a knife, a carpet — are that region's shared value. The instrument that protects this value not as a single firm's trademark but as the common right of every producer meeting the regional conditions is the geographical indication (GI) registration. But a GI comes in two types, and which one is appropriate depends on where the product's production takes place.

What is a geographical indication?

Under SMK 6769 art. 34, a geographical indication is a sign identifying a product that, by virtue of a distinct quality, reputation or other characteristic, is identified with the region, area or country of its origin. Unlike a trademark, it does not belong to a single business; it belongs to that geography and its production tradition.

Designation of origin vs geographical indication

The difference between the two types is how much of the production takes place within the stated geographical boundaries:

In short: if the product's character is entirely bound to the soil, climate and local craftsmanship, and all production happens there, a designation of origin fits; if its reputation and defining feature belong to the region but one stage (for example processing) happens there, a geographical indication fits.

Regional products we know from Kayseri make the distinction concrete: products identified with a meat-curing tradition are usually registered as geographical indications — because what is defining is the region's processing craftsmanship.

Who can apply?

The most common mistake with GIs is a single firm trying to apply in its own name. A GI is a collective right; that is why SMK art. 36 grants the right to apply to these legal persons:

• Producer associations and cooperatives
• Relevant public institutions
• Public-benefit associations
• Relevant chambers and exchanges (with an economic link to the product)

In other words, the applicant must be a body representing the region's producers; the first to register does not become its "owner."

Inspection: registration is a beginning, not an end

A GI registration rests on a technical specification (the product's characteristics, production method, geographical boundary). After registration, conformity with this specification must be regularly inspected (SMK art. 49). The inspection body is stated in the application. Every producer that meets the specification may use the registered GI and the TÜRKPATENT emblem.

How a GI differs from a trademark

A firm can benefit from a GI and register its own trademark: the GI protects the product's regional identity, the trademark protects the firm's own name. The two complement each other.

The application process — in brief

1. Technical specification: Defining the product, its distinctive features, production method and geographical boundary.
2. Applicant eligibility: Verifying the legal person representing the producers.
3. TÜRKPATENT examination and publication: The application is published in the Bulletin.
4. Opposition window: Third parties may oppose after publication.
5. Registration and inspection: After registration, conformity with the specification is monitored by the inspection body.

Unlike a trademark or patent, a GI application calls for collective preparation: producer representation, a specification and an inspection structure must be set up together. We run this process at Asil Patent — under the agency of Salih Aksebzeci — from application preparation to designing the inspection structure. For details, see the Geographical Indication service page.

Sources

1. SMK No. 6769 arts. 33-54 (geographical indications & traditional product names)
2. SMK No. 6769 arts. 34 (definitions), 36 (right to apply), 49 (inspection)
3. TÜRKPATENT Geographical Indication Register

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Author: Salih Aksebzeci · TÜRKPATENT Agent Registry No. 188 · Published: 2026-06-11