GI refers to a sign or indication applied to products that are originated in a specific geographical area, meaning their quality or reputation is linked to that particular origin.
- Definition
- Indications that identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin.
- Types of Gi
- PGI and PDO. India has only PGI.
Significance of GI Tag:
- GI can be a great tool in the protection of traditional knowledge, culture, and boost socio-economic development.
- GI is governed by the Agreement on TRIPS at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
India’s Status:
- India is behind compared to other nations, with only 547 products registered till December 2023.
- The issues related to GI Tags in India include the need for timely amendment in the GI Act, need for simplification of registration forms and application processing time, and lack of guidance and support for producers.
- The GIs receive less attention in comparison to patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
- Research on GIs in academia is very poor, only seven publications came out from India, with this having a recent uptrend.
- For a holistic realization of the GI-based product base, there is a call to action for grassroots government effort in the exclusion of ‘non-producers’ from benefits as well as the integration of GIs into the One District One Product scheme.
- The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme is a government initiative which aims to promote balanced regional development in India by focusing on a single product from each district.
Legal Framework:
- The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 aims to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications related to goods in India.
- It is directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
- The importance of protecting industrial property and geographical indications as integral components of intellectual property is empowered under the Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention.
