Geographical indications (GI) identify goods as originating from a specific place, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to that geographical origin. Unlike trademarks, which distinguish the commercial source (a company), GIs protect the collective reputation of a region and its authorised producers.

BrandProCare conducts specialised GI investigations to help producer groups, associations, regulators and brand owners protect recognised GIs from unauthorised use, imitation and misrepresentation. Misuse of GIs not only misleads consumers but also harms genuine producers who comply with strict origin and quality standards.

Our GI misuse and false-origin investigations focus on identifying entities that falsely claim GI status on packaging, labels, advertisements or online listings. We verify whether the goods truly originate from the protected region and whether the producer is authorised to use the GI.

Our market and supply chain mapping investigations trace how mislabelled GI goods move through wholesalers, retailers, exporters and intermediaries. This helps quantify the scale of misuse and identify key players involved in the distribution of non-compliant products.

Our sector-specific GI investigations cover agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products. We understand the nuances of origin-linked claims and work closely with legal teams to ensure that the evidence collected aligns with applicable GI laws and regulations.

BrandProCare’s GI investigation reports typically include product and packaging photographs, labelling and origin claim analysis, seller/manufacturer/exporter identification, market and price mapping, samples (where applicable), supply chain intelligence and recommendations for enforcement or regulatory action.