It is often said that “blood is thicker than water”.
All throughout history, this age-old proverb has been used as a rallying cry to galvanise feelings of familial loyalty because the blood of your kin transcends everything else. Interestingly, we find that this sentiment is also echoed in the field of Intellectual Property, specifically Geographical Indicators (GIs). While GIs concern a different kind of kinship from that of familial bonds, it can be said that the unwavering geographical connection a signature product has with its region of origin is akin to the genetic lineage that ties individuals together as a family. Such is the case with “Prosecco” where it was recently determined by the landmark decision of Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione di Origine Controllata Prosecco v Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated [2023] SGCA 37 that the unique bubbly taste of the crisp and refreshing wine is attributed to its Italian region of origin and can be registered as a GI.