Following an SWA application, the Chinese Trade Mark Office under Administration of Industry &Commerce (AIC) has agreed to protect ‘Scotch Whisky’ as a Geographical Indication (GI) by registering it as a ‘collective trade mark’. As a result, there will be nationwide official protection of the description ‘Scotch Whisky’ and its Chinese translation ‘苏格兰威士忌’.It is the highest level protection granted by the Chinese government to a foreign spirit drink as a Geographical Indication (GI) in China. Scottish distillers will now be able to take more effective legal action in the Chinese courts to ensure that only whisky made in Scotland is sold as ‘Scotch Whisky’.

Lindesay Low, an SWA legal advisor specialising in the Chinese market, said: “Over a number of years, we have welcomed the commitment and co-operation of the Chinese
authorities in tackling imitation products ‘passed off’ as Scotch Whisky in China. This positive
decision to grant stronger ‘collective trademark’ protection to Scotch is an important advance and will help to ensure Chinese consumers and Scottish distillers are protected from fake products.”