Leading international IP consultancy Rouse has broken new ground by registering the first ever foreign geographical indication, Champagne, in Cambodia on April 29.

“Champagne” will now be protected as a GI in one of the ASEAN region’s fastest growing economies, where a rapidly expanding middle class is driving increasing demand for premium foreign food and wines.

The decision further demonstrates the extent to which Cambodia is developing a strong and mature system of IP rights, designed to provide international brands with the protection they need to operate in the country with confidence.

On May 7, Rouse filed another GI in Cambodia, Cognac, which, if granted, will be the second foreign GI for wine to obtain protection in that country.

Fabrice Mattei, Principal at Rouse acting for Champagne and Cognac, commented:

“"We are thrilled by the news that Cambodia has granted GI protection to Champagne and we look forward to working with the Department of Intellectual Property of Cambodia (DIP) in registering Cognac.

“This important announcement complements Rouse’ work in protecting Champagne in South-East Asia, where Champagne is now protected through GI registration in Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, though bilateral agreement in Vietnam and common law in Singapore, Brunei and Philippines.”

In 2018, Cambodia became the first country in the world to join the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications, as part of its determination to protect GIs for the benefit of consumers and producers alike. The Act institutes a new mechanism for a single application through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and involves a single set of fees for registering appellations of origin or GIs across multiple jurisdictions, rather than applying in each country individually.