Government seeks input on trademark changes for "Place of Origin" products
The Government of Canada is launching a public consultation to modernize how it protects products tied to specific locations.
The government wants feedback on how to update Canada’s geographical indications (GI) regime under the Trademarks Act. Officials are especially looking for input from Indigenous Peoples to help shape future policies.
Canada's intellectual property system plays a key role in helping businesses create value and differentiate their products. Geographical indications are a form of intellectual property that identify products as originating from a specific place, where their quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributed to that location. Geographical indications can build consumer trust and increase awareness by signalling authentic quality tied to a product's place of origin, while promoting market differentiation, export opportunities and "made in Canada" authenticity.
A major goal of the review is supporting Canada's implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. "This engagement is an opportunity to hear from Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders to explore how our intellectual property system can better protect authenticity and create new pathways for economic growth across the country. Strengthening protections for goods such as traditional crafts or culturally significant products can bolster economies, encourage tourism, attract investment and support broader efforts toward Indigenous reconciliation and trade development," said Mélanie Joly, the Minister of Industry.
The government is specifically asking how potential changes can better protect and promote Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions. This includes the respectful use of Indigenous place names and helping these products reach new markets and customers.
Internationally, many jurisdictions are expanding geographical indications protections. The European Union recently expanded its regime to include crafts and industrial products, recognizing their cultural and economic value.
At this time, Canada's geographical indications system covers only certain categories of agricultural and food products, as well as wines and spirits. Well-known examples of Canadian geographical indications include "Canadian Rye Whisky" for spirit drinks and "Ontario Ice Wine," "Vin de glâce du Québec", "Niagara Peninsula" and "Okanagan Valley" for wines.
