A geographical indication (GI) is a distinctive sign used to identify a product whose quality, reputation or other such characteristics relate to its geographical origin.
A geographic indication includes a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) where a product name is registered and has a very strong link to the place in which is produced. A Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) protects the name of a product, which is from a specific region and follows a particular traditional production process.
The key difference between the three types of indication primarily relate to how much of the raw materials including botanicals come from the area or how much of the production process has to take place in the specific region.
The role of geographic indication to any food or drink is to prevent financial from undermining the advantages derived from innovation.