What is a geographical sign?
Under Turkey's Industrial Property Law No. 6769, a geographical sign (mahreç işareti) identifies products that are associated with a geographical area through a distinctive quality, reputation or other characteristic. At least one stage of production, processing or preparation must take place in that region.
Registration is carried out by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. The product's characteristics and production method are set out in a specification, and use of the name is monitored by inspection bodies.
What does it guarantee to consumers?
A geographical sign shows that the region named on the label really shapes the quality and character of the product. Products that do not meet the specification may not use the registered name, protecting both producers and consumers from imitations.
Two geographical signs in GürAta olive oils
Kilis Zeytinyağı (Registration No. 1021) covers extra virgin olive oil made from the Kilis Yağlık variety, which grows only in and around Kilis. GürAta's İlizi Organic olive oil is made from this variety, from hand-picked olives cold-pressed on the same day.
Altınözü Zeytinyağı (Registration No. 1486) protects the deep-rooted olive culture of Altınözü in Hatay. GürAta's Hayat Hatay and Olivepia oils are cold-pressed mainly from the Halhalı and Saurani varieties. The geographical sign is the official guarantee of the terroir that gives these oils their character.
