Geographical Indication Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2025.

These Rules and Regulations (Rules) are made in the exercise of the power vested under Article 20 (8) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Chapter I contains the title, date of commencement, extent, and purpose of these Rules. The Purpose includes protection of specific characteristics, traditional methods, and cultural heritage of products tied to specific territories; and to ensure consumers of a product's origin, authenticity, and quality by linking it to its place of origin.
Chapter II designates the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property as the National Geographical Indication Office for the administration, regulation, and maintenance of geographical indications. The Registry of Geographical Indications is established. Chapters III and IV contain provisions in respect of registration of Geographical Indication and Foreign Geographical Indication, respectively. The procedure for registration and eligibility criteria are laid down. Chapter V provides for protection of Geographical Indication. It lays down the cases in which protection shall not be provided. Chapter VI makes provisions for Geographical Indication compliance control. The Rules also contain provisions in respect of registration of marks, cancellation and modification of geographical indication, penalties for misuse of Geographical Indication and grievance redressal mechanism.