Everyone is still a little unfamiliar with geographical indications, but the government has provided rewards or subsidies for them very early. In 2009, Guizhou Province issued the "Opinions on Strengthening the Management of Geographical Indications of Agricultural Specialty Products and Vigorously Promoting the Development of Agricultural Specialty Economy in Our Province" to provide one-time subsidies to organizations that obtain geographical indications.

Judging from the information retrieved from the Internet, geographical indication rewards are generally between 100,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan. As geographical indications receive more and more attention, the amount of rewards is increasing. The "Opinions of the People's Government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Further Implementing the Trademark and Brand Strategy" issued by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region provides a one-time reward of 500,000 yuan to those who obtain geographical indication certification (collective) trademark registration.

Rewards for geographical indications are available from the provincial level to the municipal level, and even at the county level. For example, Fengtai District in Beijing provides a reward of 200,000 yuan to registrants of geographical indication trademarks who meet the reward conditions. Zhenba County in Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province issued the "Zhenba County Geographical Indication Product Protection and Management Incentive Measures", granting 100,000 yuan to successfully declared geographical indications.

In addition to rewards, some places also provide certain start-up funds for application. For example, in 2017, Shijiazhuang issued the "Opinions on Strengthening the Work of Geographical Indication Trademarks in Our City". For every geographical indication trademark approved, Shijiazhuang City Finance will provide A reward of 500,000 yuan, and the county (city, district) finance will provide certain rewards depending on the situation. At the same time, a certain amount of start-up funds will be provided to the agriculture, forestry, industry and commerce, market supervision and management departments to support and promote the application work.

Geographical indication products are distinctive and regional, have high commercial value, and can increase the price of agricultural products. The government will also provide rewards for applying for geographical indications. However, applying for a geographical indication is not an ordinary trademark application. It is more complicated and requires system design. To apply for a geographical indication, you need to find a professional agency.

Compiled by: Lawyer Wang Yu

May 2019