Myanmar issues Geographical Indication Registration Rules

5 January 2026

On 21 November 2025, Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce (“MoC”) issued Notification No. 103/2025, promulgating the Geographical Indication Registration Rules (“Rules”). These Rules operationalise the provisions on geographical indications (“GIs”) in the Myanmar Trademark Law 2019 (“Law”) and establish a procedural framework for obtaining and enforcing GI protection in Myanmar. Notification No. 104/2025, issued on the same date, prescribes the official forms required for GI-related procedures. Together, these instruments mark a significant milestone in implementing Myanmar’s GI regime.

Scope

The Rules govern the full lifecycle of GI protection including filing, examination, acceptance, publication for opposition, registration, amendments, invalidation, cancellation, appeals, extensions of time, re-applications, and administrative corrections. This provides a structured pathway for both domestic and foreign applicants seeking to secure GI rights.

Who can apply

Applications may be filed by legal entities representing groups of producers whose goods originate from a defined geographical area including agricultural products, local handicrafts, and industrial goods. Foreign applicants are also eligible under the Law and, in practice, will require a Myanmar-based representative to act before the Intellectual Property Department (“IPD”).

Application process

Applications must be submitted using the prescribed Form GI-1, together with documentation describing the product, its geographical origin and characteristics, and supporting evidence establishing the link between the two. After filing, the IPD examines compliance with statutory requirements (e.g. whether the term is generic or contrary to public order). If accepted, the application is published for opposition for a period specified under the GI Rules. In the absence of a successful opposition, the Registrar notifies the applicant to pay the registration fees, after which the GI is entered into the official register and publicly announced.

Authorisation and GI logo

The Rules provide for the adoption of a national GI logo, to be designated by the IPD with MoC approval. Only producers or traders located within the designated geographical area, and who comply with the registered GI specification, may be authorised to use the logo. Authorisation is granted through a separate form (Form GI-10), with ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure product quality.

Procedural safeguards and appeals

Foreign applicants must appoint a Myanmar-based representative using Form GI-2 or GI-11. Decisions of the Registrar may be appealed to the Intellectual Property Agency within 60 days, using Form GI-14, and limited extensions of time may be sought using Form GI-15. The Rules also allow for re-application where filings lapse, corrections of errors, withdrawal, and requests for certified copies of entries in the GI register ensuring procedural fairness and flexibility.

Interaction with trademarks

Once a GI is registered, trademarks applied for related goods may be refused if they conflict with the GI. Existing registered trademarks may also be subject to cancellation where they mislead consumers as to the true geographical origin of goods.

Implementation status

Although the Rules and required forms are now in force, the specific fee schedule and the formal commencement date for accepting GI filings have not yet been announced.