The EUIPO recently launched GIview at the EUIPO/DG AGRI online conference Strengthening GIs, a new search database for all geographical indications (GIs) protected at European Union level.

This new tool provides a single entry point for data on GIs registered in the EU, and is a useful asset for consumers, producers and IP professionals. GIview also contains detailed information on non-EU GIs protected at EU level through bilateral and multilateral agreements, and on EU GIs protected in non-EU countries. The database is continually updated with official registered data from the European Commission (DG AGRI) and is maintained by the EUIPO.

GIs are a key economic asset for the EU: according to research by the EUIPO and the European Patent Office, industries intensive in GI rights support nearly 400.000 jobs across the EU, and contribute over €20 billion to the EU’s GDP. In addition, a study of the European Commission puts the yearly sales value of GI-protected products at €74.76 billion annually, a fifth of which results from exports outside the EU.

The tool contains data such as GI type (PDO, PGI, GI), priority date, legal status, basis of protection in relation to all GIs covering wines, spirit drinks and aromatised wines, agricultural products and foodstuffs protected at EU level. The database is made open to national authorities and to producer groups to upload extended data, such as the contact data of the GI producer groups and control bodies, maps, photographs of the product, product description, the geographical area, sustainability statements, and other information. This is designed both to maximize information about GIs, and to directly support anti-fraud authorities, who will easily see the descriptions and photos of genuine product and be able to directly contact the concerned authorities and the producer group of the genuine product in case of an investigation.

A video by EUIPO introducing the tool is available on YouTube.