The Importance of Geographical Indication Registration for Traditional Knowledge

Intellectual property rights are rights to property created by human intellectual abilities. One of the intellectual works is traditional knowledge. Traditional knowledge is intellectual work that contains elements of traditional heritage characteristics that are produced, developed, and maintained by a particular community or society. Traditional knowledge needs to be protected through intellectual property rights in the form of geographical indications. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of geographical indications and the importance of registering geographical indications of traditional knowledge. The method used is qualitative with a normative juridical approach. The results showed that traditional knowledge can be registered if it meets the criteria of geographical indications. The protection of traditional knowledge through geographical indication is very important. The importance of protecting knowledge through indications including international recognition so that it is not claimed, recognizing communal ownership following the characteristics of traditional knowledge, and providing economic benefits and sustainability of traditional knowledge.