The specifics of conducting a formal examination of applications for geographical indications and appellations of origin of goods

The article discusses the procedure for examining applications for state registration of geographical indications (GI) and appellations of origin of goods and (or) granting the exclusive right to such GI or appellations of origin of goods in the Russian Federation. Based on the analysis of the norms of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation and by-laws, the content of the formal examination is disclosed in detail, as well as the requirements for the preparation of applications for GI or appellations of origin of goods. The key stages of the formal examination are analyzed: verification of the completeness of documents, compliance of the form and content of the application with the established requirements. The main research methods are analysis, generalization, comparative and normative methods. The novelty and practical value of the study lie in the fact that based on the analysis carried out, the authors identify typical mistakes of applicants when applying for GI and appellations of origin of goods and suggest ways to prevent them. Therefore, special attention is paid to the typical mistakes of applicants when filling out applications for the GI or appellations of origin of goods, which allows us to formulate practical recommendations for improving the quality of filling out applications for the GI or appellations of origin of goods. The article analyzed the mistakes of applicants using the example of specific applications for GI or appellations of origin of goods from the practice of FIPS, which are faced by government experts in the framework of a formal examination. The most common mistakes of applicants are noted – incorrect filling in of the application form for the GI or appellations of origin of goods. The article suggests specific measures to minimize the risks of sending requests for applications for GI or appellations of origin of goods in order to speed up the process of state registration of GI or appellations of origin of goods, as well as obtaining the exclusive right to such a GI or appellations of origin of goods. The results of the study can be useful for both applicants and specialists in the field of intellectual property.

1. Ruzakova, O. A. and Grin, E. S. (2018), “Issues of the development of legal regulation of relations, the object of which are geographical indications”, Bulletin of Perm University. Legal sciences, no. 42, pp. 685–699.

2. Salnikova, A.V. (2023), “Models of registration of regional brands: advantages and disadvantages”, Intellectual property, Industrial Property, no. 6, pp. 67–76.

3. Ruzakova, O. A. and Grigorovich, E. V. (2022), “The relationship between trademark protection and indications of places of manufacture of goods in the legislation of the Russian Federation”, Patents and Licenses, no. 7, pp. 18–23.

4. Fabrichny, S. Yu. and Ruzakova, O. A. (2018), “Novels about geographical indications as objects of intellectual property rights”, Property relations in the Russian Federation, no. 12, pp. 53–61.

5. Matveev, A. G. and Sinelnikova, V. N. (2019), “Intellectual property objects receiving protection in the 21st century”, Bulletin of the Perm University. Legal sciences, no. 2, pp. 281–209.

6. Salnikova, A. V. (2025), “Intellectual property in the Russian tourism industry: the role and significance, Tourism: law and economics”, no. 2. pp. 17–20.

7. Molodkin, A. V. and Bitkina, I. V. (2024), “Support and promotion of regional brands as a condition for the socio-economic development of the subjects of the Russian Federation”, Intellectual property. Industrial Property, no. 6, pp. 26–32.

8. Sychev, A. E. (2020), “Examination of applications for appellations of origin and geographical indications”, Patents and licenses. Intellectual property rights, no. 11, pp. 2–9.

9. Vorozhevich, A. S., Grin, O. S. and Korneev, V. A. et al (2018), Pravo intellektual’noj sobstvennosti: uchebnik [Intellectual property law: textbook] in Novoselova L. A. (ed), Statute, Moscow, Russia.

10. Samokhvalova, I. N. and Sychev, A. E. (2021), “Key changes in the legal protection of the appellation of origin”, Patents and licenses. Intellectual property rights, no. 6, pp. 6–12.