Geographical Indication Protection in the UK and China: A Retrospective and Prospective Analysis

On 24 June 2019, the Faculty of Law hosted an experts’ workshop concerning geographical indication (GI) protection in the UK and China. This event was convened by Dr Xiaoyan Wang, with the support from her mentor Dr Dev Gangjee and assistance from staff of the Faculty, including the OIPRC (Oxford Intellectual Property Research Centre).

GI experts in academia and governments from the UK, China and France made thought-provoking presentations, followed by a round-table discussion which included other experts in the field. Professor Lianfeng Wang, Associate Professor Xiaobing Wang and Professor Xiuqin Lin started the day with presentations on the legal systems and case studies on GI protection in China. This was followed by Dr Gail Evans, Dr Simon Crabbe and Dr Delphine Marie-Vivien who gave presentations on the issue of genericness, GI policy in the UK after Brexit, and GI protection in Asian Countries.

The workshop was funded by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council), with support from the Oxford Law Faculty.