Champagne awarded GI status in Cambodia

30 August 2019

A geographical indication is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a specific venue or location and has given characteristics and qualities that are unique to its location or origin.

Champagne – a sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the French region of the same name and is one of France’s most famous products – became the first foreign product to be awarded geographical indication status in Cambodia on April 29, 2019. Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak was quoted as saying “we do hope to see more products from France and other foreign countries registering in Cambodia.”

On the home front, Cambodia also has two local products, namely, the Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu palm sugar, that enjoy GI recognition in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and the European Union. Applications for GI status for Kep salt flower (fleur de sel), Kratie pomelo, Phnom Srok silk, Battambang fragrant rice, Battambang oranges, Siem Reap prahok (a salted, fermented fish paste) and Kampot durian are pending.

Cambodia was the first country in the world to join the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications in 2018. This act allows for a single application with a single set of fees to be filed through the World Intellectual Property Office for registration of a GI across multiple jurisdictions, rather than making a separate application in each individual country.

The above demonstrates a step by Cambodia towards developing a strong and mature IP system to protect geographical indications for the benefit of consumers and producers alike.

About the author

Denise Mirandah

As a Director, Denise Mirandah has played a major role in the international promotion of the company, helping to share the family values of Mirandah Asia and its successful one-stop shop approach to IP with clients all over the world.

Denise has had a passion for IP from an early age and, as the daughter of Patrick and Gladys Mirandah, grew up in a household where IP was discussed regularly. She studied her Bachelor of Laws at the prestigious Cambridge University in the UK. There, she underwent rigorous academic training with the world’s most eminent legal minds, including Professor Bill Cornish, a renowned authority on IP law.

During her summer holidays, she attended Harvard University in the US to hone her drafting skills and familiarise herself with the American legal system, voluntarily working as part of Harvard’s pro bono programme in Boston.

Denise has been admitted to the Bar in Singapore since 2009, and in Brunei as of 2017.