Source: TH
Context:
At the Tribal Business Conclave in New Delhi, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced a significant reduction in the Geographical Indications (GI) tag application fee, from ₹5,000 to ₹1,000, aimed at encouraging tribal artisans to register and protect traditional products.
Key Highlights:
- GI Tag Fee Reduction: Application fee cut to ₹1,000 from ₹5,000.
- Minister urged tribal artisans to register traditional crafts and products to secure legal protection and market recognition.
- Conclave organized by Ministries of Tribal Affairs, Culture, and DPIIT at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre.
- Conclave part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, marking 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
GI Tags Distributed
- Kannadippaya (bamboo mat) – Kerala
- Apatani textile – Arunachal Pradesh
- Marthandam honey – Tamil Nadu
- Lepcha Tungbuk – Sikkim
- Bodo Aronai – Assam
- Ambaji white marble – Gujarat
- Bedu and Badri cow ghee – Uttarakhand
Geographical Indications (GI)
Geographical Indications (GIs) are a type of intellectual property (IP) that identify goods as originating from a specific geographical region, where quality, reputation, or other characteristics are essentially linked to that location. India has over 400 registered GIs, covering agricultural, handicraft, and industrial products.
Legal Framework in India
- Governing Act: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.
- Authority: Geographical Indications Registry under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (Chennai).
- International Protection: India is a signatory to the TRIPS Agreement under WTO, which mandates GI protection.
