Uzbekistan is actively integrating into the world community and expanding its tourism potential. Each region of the country has unique natural features and cultural traditions. Geographical indications, which are one of the types of intellectual property objects, play a significant role in increasing international recognition and developing regional brands.

A geographical indication is an intellectual property that reflects a specific product of a particular area or region, closely related to the region’s natural, human, and historical factors. Registration of such products is carried out with the assistance of the Ministry of Justice.

Geographical indications are widely used in international practice, particularly in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), signed in 1994 by the member states of the World Trade Organization. The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications, adopted in 2015, is one of the special international agreements regulating these relations.

It should be noted that more than 3,000 geographical indications and names of places of origin of goods are registered in the EU countries, and more than 230 in the Russian Federation. In addition, Spain has 16 geographical indications for meat, and Georgia has about 20 geographical indications for wine.

To date, the Ministry of Justice has registered five such intellectual property objects in Uzbekistan, including Zaamin Tandoor Meat, Margilan Adras, Margilan Atlas, Kokand Knives, and Gijduvan Shish Kebab.

The Ministry of Justice announced that the “Andijan Skullcap”, based on the traditions of craft, embroidery school and cultural symbols of Andijan region, “Suqoq Somsa”, made from the herb mador (spinach), which grows in the Suqok mountains, as well as “Tuhum Barak”, which has a unique taste and a special way of making dough, is the state registered popular dish of Khorezm region as a geographical indication.

In accordance with the legislation, several legal entities or individuals operating in a specific geographical area and using the name of this area to designate their products have the right to apply to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan with an application for registration of a geographical indication.

The Ministry of Justice considers the application in accordance with the established procedure. Based on the review results, a certificate of the right to use a geographical indication will be issued. The validity period of this certificate may be extended for ten years at the initiative of its owner.

Increasing the number of manufacturers seeking to register geographical indications will contribute to developing regional brands. As indicated by the geographical indication, manufacturers will benefit significantly from selling their value-added products. It will also stimulate an increase in the tourist flow to the regions, promote the development of gastronomic tourism, and generally increase the tourist attractiveness of the regions.

M.Turdaliyeva, A.Akhmedov, UzA