Geographical Indications Tags

Introduction:

You must have heard about Banarasi sarees of Varanasi, Rosogullas of West Bengal, Alphohonso mangoes of Maharashtra and many more such products which are uniquely identified due to their geographical origins and traditional heritage. Such products which add value to the reputation of their geographical origins are classified under a special tag for the protection of their individuality and uniqueness. This special tag is called Geographical Indication Tag.

What is a GI Tag?

According to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. In addition, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.

Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.

GI tag key facts:

• GIs are covered as elements of IPRs ( Intellectual Property Rights) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
• They are also covered under the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement
•   GI is governed by WTO
•  In India GI is administrated by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999
• In India, this tag is issued by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

GI tags can be used for following products:

Agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.

Benefits of registration as a GI:

• It provides legal protection to the GI  products
• It prevents the illegal and unauthorized use of the products without permission
• It provides legal protection which henceforth boosts the import and export
• It helps in building the economic prosperity of the orgin territory of the GI products

Validity of products registered as GI:

The validity of the products to remain as GI after registration is of 10 years. The validity can be renewed after re-registering the product as GI.

First GI tag of India:

Darjeeling tea (word and logo) was the first product to get the GI tag under the category (Agricultural) in 2004-2005. Till now 365 products are listed under GI tag in India with Kashmir Saffron being among the latest registered GI product.

Examples of some GI tags in India:

– Khushboo Singh

Sources:

https://ipindia.gov.in/gi.htm

https://www.jagranjosh.com/

https://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/

https://www.thehindu.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page