First registered Mozambican geographical indication (GI)

First registered Mozambican geographical indication (GI).

The Mozambican goat market has recently obtained registration for the ‘Tete goat’ as a geographical indication (GI) under the Industrial Property System in Mozambique. This is the first registered Mozambican GI and a milestone in the history of the nation. In light of the ‘Tete goat’ being the first registered GI in Mozambique, this update takes a look at the procedure for registering a trademark as a GI in the South African context, with reference to certain examples, and how GIs can play an important role in the development of Sub-Saharan African countries.

A GI can be defined as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin” (“World Intellectual Property Organisation Geographical Indications – An Introduction” (2017), page 8).

Read the full article here written for and published by World Trademark Review.

By Senamiso Moyo, Trademark Department, under supervision of Nick Pemberton, Trademark Attorney