What is the Difference Between Trademark and Geographical Indication

Difference Between Trademark (TM) and Geographical Indication(GI)

Let us now consider a few points that shall help us in differentiating between a trademark and GI.

1. A trademark can be name, sign, or identity of a brand or business, which further differentiates the goods or services of one business entity from the others. A technology company is still a technology company; however, based on the manufacturer's trademark, it can be well-distinguished. For instance, Microsoft and Apple are the Registered Trademarks of individual technology companies.
   
2. A Trademark Registration is usually filed by a single business entity or individual, whereas Geographical Indication Protection is granted to a group of manufacturers, who belong to a particular location, where the good was first originated.
   
3. Only a single person, business entity, or a manufacturer can use a registered trademark, while all the producers or manufacturers in the same locality or region are permitted to the use the same GI.
   
4. A trademark can be a word, letter, numeral (or numerals), a combination of numerals and letters, hologram, sound, smell, an abbreviation, a name, or a device. However, GIs can only be names or symbols corresponding to a particular region or place.
   
5. A trademark is a result of human creativity or intellect, which further determines its uniqueness or distinctiveness. A trademark can be suggestive, arbitrary, or distinctive. On the other hand, GIs identify the goods based on their place of origin. Factors like climate, topography, human work (of a specific geographical location), amongst many others, determine the nature of the GIs.