Geographical Indication at INPI: Complete Guide [2026]

A Geographical Indication (GI) identifies a product or service whose qualities, reputation, or characteristics are essentially due to its geographical origin. In Brazil, GIs are regulated by the Industrial Property Law (Law No. 9.279/96) and registered with the INPI. This guide covers all practical aspects: the types of GI, who can apply, the required documents, costs, and the step-by-step process.

In July 2026, the INPI opened a public call for submissions for the recognition of Argentine Geographical Indications in Brazil (deadline until 07/31/2026), demonstrating the growing relevance of this protection mechanism also in international relations. Consult the official public consultation page to participate.

What is a Geographical Indication?

A GI is an industrial property institute that protects the link between a product and its territory of origin. Unlike patents (which protect inventions) or trademarks (which identify the business origin of products), the GI protects the reputation associated with a geographical location.

The legal basis is in Articles 176 to 182 of Law No. 9.279/96 (LPI), which define two modalities:

Aspect	Indication of Source (IP)	Denomination of Origin (DO)
Concept	Geographical name known as a production center for a given product or service	Geographical name whose qualities are exclusively or essentially due to the geographical environment (natural and human factors)
Requirement	Only reputation of the location	Intrinsic quality linked to the territory
Degree of proof	Simpler — just demonstrate that the location is recognized as a production center	More complex — requires technical reports, soil/climate studies, geographical delimitation
Brazilian examples	Cachaça de Minas Gerais, Própolis Verde do Paraná	Vales da Uva Goethe (SC), Café da Região do Cerrado Mineiro (MG)

The LPI defines in Art. 176 the indication of source, in Art. 177 the denomination of origin, and in Art. 178 the impediments to registration. Art. 182 establishes that, in addition to legal protection, the INPI may establish complementary conditions — which is done through INPI/PR Ordinance No. 04/2022 (amended by Ordinance No. 051/2024 and Ordinance No. 50/2026).

Who can apply for registration

The following may apply for GI registration with the INPI:

Unions, associations, institutes and any legal entity representing the collectivity authorized as a procedural substitute
Registration is collective — it does not belong to an individual producer, but rather to a representative entity that manages it
Producers or service providers established in the respective territory may use the GI, provided they meet the requirements defined in the use regulation

Step-by-step registration process at the INPI

1. Prepare the documentation

The documents vary according to the type of GI (IP or DO) and the nature of the applicant. In general, the following are required:

For both types:

Registration application (electronic form in the e-IG system)
Proof of payment of the GRU
Bylaws of the applicant entity (with the purpose of representing the collectivity)
Use regulation (document that defines who can use the GI and the conditions)
Instrument proving the applicant’s legitimacy

Specific for Indication of Source (IP):

Documents proving that the geographical name has become known as a production center for the product or service provision (historical materials, news reports, publications, trade fair certificates, etc.)

Specific for Denomination of Origin (DO):

Delimitation of the geographical area
Description of the qualities or characteristics of the product or service
Technical and scientific reports proving the influence of the geographical environment (natural factors such as soil, climate, altitude; and human factors such as traditional production techniques)
Description of the product obtaining process

Consult chapter 7 of the INPI Manual of Geographical Indications (in effect since 02/01/2021) for the detailed list. Also check the Technical Specifications Notebooks of already registered GIs as a reference.

2. Pay the GRU

It is necessary to issue the Federal Collection Guide (GRU) in the INPI system. The amounts follow the Fee Table (INPI/PR Ordinance No. 10/2025, in effect):

Service	Amount (R$)
Application for registration of a Geographical Indication	R$ 3,200.00
GI registration application (ME, EPP, MEI, non-profit entities)	R$ 1,600.00
Appeal against refusal	R$ 700.00
Administrative nullity	R$ 800.00
Appeal petition (second instance)	According to current table

Check the official cost table for updated amounts and the GRU issuance system for payment.

Attention: The GRU due dates are independent of the procedural deadlines. Do not confuse the payment slip’s due date with the legal deadline for presenting documents or appeals.

3. Start the application in the e-IG system

Since INPI PR Resolution No. 233/2019, all GI applications are exclusively electronic — it is no longer possible to file on paper. The system used is e-IG, accessible through the INPI portal.

Steps:

Register at e-INPI (if you do not already have one)
Access the e-IG system with your account
Fill out the electronic form with the applicant’s and GI’s data
Attach the mandatory documentation
Enter the paid GRU number
Submit the application

The complete electronic filing guide is attached to the GI Manual.

4. Follow the process

After filing, the INPI performs formal analysis (documentation verification) and, if approved, the merit analysis (verification of legal requirements for granting). During the process, corrections or additional documents may be required.

Main stages:

Stage	Indicative deadline	Description
Filing	Day 0	Submission in e-IG with paid GRU
Formal analysis	30-60 days	Verification of documents and regularity
Publication in RPI	After formal analysis	Opening for third-party statements
Merit analysis	6-18 months	Examination of requirements (IP or DO)
Granting	—	Publication of approval in RPI
Certificate	After granting	Available for download on the portal

Follow the progress through the Industrial Property Journal (RPI), published on Tuesdays, and through the process search database.

5. After granting

Once the registration is granted, the Registration Certificate is available in electronic format on the INPI portal for download. The GI has indeterminate protection, as long as the conditions that originated it are maintained — unlike patents (20 years) or trademarks (10 years, renewable).

The holder must ensure compliance with the use regulation and may take measures to combat counterfeiting. The INPI maintains a National Directory for Combating Counterfeiting of Geographical Indications (DNCF-IGs) as a support tool.

Recognized GIs in Brazil

Brazil has dozens of registered GIs, covering products such as:

Indications of Source:

Cachaça from various regions (Minas Gerais, Paraty, Salinas, etc.)
Própolis Verde do Paraná
Mel do Pantanal
Própolis Vermelha de Alagoas
Couro do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (RS)

Denominations of Origin:

Vales da Uva Goethe (SC)
Café da Região do Cerrado Mineiro (MG)
Queijo da Canastra (MG)
Arroz do Litoral Norte Gaúcho (RS)
Queijo de Coalho do Sertão Paraibano (PB)

Consult the complete list of granted GIs and applications under analysis.

Why register a GI?

Registering a Geographical Indication brings concrete benefits to producers and regions:

Market differentiation — GI products compete on quality and reputation, not just price
Value addition — studies show that GI products can have a premium of 20% to 50% compared to similar non-certified products
Regional development — the GI values local identity, attracts tourism, and stimulates the region’s economy
Legal protection — prevents unauthorized third parties from improperly using the geographical name
Market access — the GI is internationally recognized by the TRIPS/WTO Agreement, facilitating exports

Differences between GI and other IP institutes

Feature	Geographical Indication	Collective Trademark	Certification Trademark
Object	Geographical origin + reputation/quality	Identification of members of an entity	Compliance with technical standards
Holder	Representative entity	Association/union/cooperative	Independent certifying entity
Use	By producers in the geographical area	By members of the entity	By those who obtain certification
Protection term	Indeterminate	10 years (renewable)	10 years (renewable)
Legal basis	Arts. 176-182 of the LPI	Art. 123 of the LPI	Art. 123 of the LPI

Complete legal framework

The legislation applicable to Geographical Indications in Brazil includes:

National:

Law No. 9.279/96 (LPI) — Arts. 176 to 182 (full text)
INPI/PR Ordinance No. 04/2022 — Conditions for registering a GI (as amended by Ordinances No. 051/2024 and No. 50/2026)
INPI/PR Ordinance No. 50/2026 — Amends provisions on GI registration (January/2026)
INPI Manual of Geographical Indications (in effect since 02/01/2021)

International:

TRIPS Agreement (WTO) — Arts. 22 to 24 (text on WIPO portal)
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property — Arts. 1(2) and 10 (promulgated by Decree No. 75.572/1975 and Decree No. 635/1992)

Consult the INPI legislation page for the complete list of regulations.

Final considerations

The Geographical Indication is one of the most strategic instruments of industrial property for valuing regional products and promoting local development. Unlike patents and trademarks, its protection term is indeterminate — making it a permanent asset for producing regions that invest in quality and reputation.

The registration process at the INPI requires planning and technical documentation, especially in the case of Denomination of Origin, but the benefits in terms of added value, legal protection, and market access compensate for the investment.

For Brazilian producers, associations, and cooperatives interested in protecting their regional identity, the first step is to consult the INPI to verify the feasibility of registration and gather the necessary documentation.