i The 1st stage
Appellation of origin and protection of appellation of origin was first regulated under Civil Code 1995 and detailed in guideline regulations.
Article 786 of Civil Code 1995 stimulated “The original name of goods is a country, or a locality's geographical name that is used to indicate the origin of the goods from this country or locality provide that the goods have the characteristics or quality reflecting the specific geographical conditions of natural or human character or the combination of thereof”.
With such definition, the original name of goods is construed as a geographical name with the function of indicating the origin of products from a country or a geographical area, therefore, direct or indirect signs, symbols and images indicating the origin of products are excluded from this definition.