#BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 9Law on the Implementation of the Reform and Expansion of the Protection of Geographical Indications
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This German federal law, enacted on 11 January 2026 and published on 15 January 2026, implements the EU-wide reform of the system for protecting geographical indications (GIs). It significantly expands and modernizes the legal framework for the protection of names of agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, spirit drinks, and other goods that are linked to their geographical origin. The law amends multiple existing statutes including the Trademark Act, the Foodstuffs and Commodities Act, and various procedural rules to align German law with the updated EU Regulation on geographical indications. It introduces stronger enforcement mechanisms, simplified registration procedures, and broader scope of protection against misuse, including online.
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Key Changes
- Implementation of the reformed EU GI Regulation into German law effective 2026
- Expansion of protected goods beyond foodstuffs to include more product categories
- Introduction of simplified and faster registration procedures for geographical indications
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Expand the scope of protection to cover wines, spirit drinks, and other goods linked to geographical origin
Amend the Trademark Act to align with the updated EU Regulation on geographical indications and implement the reformed GI protection system
Amend the Foodstuffs and Commodities Act to incorporate expanded protections for geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs
Implement simplified registration procedures for geographical indication applications as part of the reform expansion
Establish and enforce stronger enforcement mechanisms against misuse of geographical indications