Preliminary Decision on “Nabeghlavi” Has been Taken in China

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (SAIC) has taken a preliminary decision on registration of appellation of origin of Georgia mineral water “Nabeghlavi”.

In 2016 Sakpatenti filed with the Trademark Office of China an application requesting registration of “Nabeghlavi” in the name of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia. It is noteworthy that appellation of Georgian mineral water “Nabeghlavi” was already registered in bad faith in China in the name of two Chinese companies. Sakpatenti filed appeals with the dispute hearing office of the Trademark Office of China against the Chinese companies and demanded invalidation of the above-mentioned registrations. The dispute between the Georgian party and the Chinese companies was resolved in favor of the Georgian party. Subsequently, the registrations of “Nabeghlavi” were invalidated for both Chinese companies.

Protection of appellations of origin in China as well as other countries will have a positive impact on the development of agriculture of Georgia and will facilitate fighting  unlawful use of well-known appellations of Georgian mineral waters.