There are three basic characteristics of geographical indications: 1. Indicates the true source of the goods or services (i.e. the geographical location of the origin); 2. The goods or services have unique quality, reputation or other characteristics; 3. This quality or characteristic is essentially attributable to its particular geographical origin.

From the above definition, it is not difficult to see that the geographical indications that the TRIPS Agreement requires member states to protect are actually more special geographical indications, which are closer to the names of origins.