The link between the characteristics of an indication and its geographical origin is established by Article 93, paragraph 2 of the "Law on Industrial Property" (1994) and Articles 13 and 14 of the Law "Some changes and supplements to the Law on industrial property" (1999). According to these articles:
The appellations of origin protect:
a) geographical names of products, whose distinctive properties are mainly due to the location or region where they are produced, if such properties are a natural consequence of either the climate or soil or of established manufacturing procedures or processes;
b) the name of a product which has become generally known through long term use in the course of trade as an indication that the product originates from a certain location or region.
Persons not authorized to use an appellation of origin may not use such appellation even if they add the words "type", "style", "fashion", "produced as" or similar words. (Article 13)
The protection of the appellation of origin shall be applicable against a geographical indication which, although literally true as to the territory, region or locality in which the goods originate, falsely represents to the public that the goods originate in another territory. (Article 14)
