Author- Devanshi Goyal
INTRODUCTION-
Geographical Indication or GI is a label or a tag associated or linked symbol with products of specific geographical location or area, be it city, village, country or any other place. These tags refer to certification to those who are performing best in their area or have due reputation in its origin place.
Many a times, customers prefer or choose some things because of their exceptional qualities and traditional production methods, they value the natural quality of these and GI gives them surety about that.
Started from September 2003, with Darjeeling Tea as the first Indian product to get a GI tag, GIs gave covered a long history. Not only giving protection to the producers of goods and services it is enhancing quality as well. Because the basis of giving GI tag is of quality, differences between the goods from region to region provides certain specific best items get this tag which expects those receivers to maintain that quality which allowed them to be distinct. Also, one more thing is that producers gain popularity and earn reputation the market due to these. Consumers trust GI certified products and as customers are king of the market, their trust make owners the king of the market.
GI is defined in Article 22.1 of TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement. More than 300 GI tags are governed by the Geographical Indications Goods (Regulation & Protection) Act, 1999 in India. A GI is valid for 10 years and can be renewed from time to time after the span of 10 years.
Following are some of the popular GI tags categories, most of the GI are given in these only:
GI Tags in Handicrafts:
There are many unique handicrafts of Indian origin and those have got recognition through GI tag have become special ones. Handicrafts have much impact in India because these are source of employment to villagers at large. The people who are not much educated but possess skills get their life sustained through this. Handicraft products have received highest number of GI tags amongst all others giving it its own distinct identity.
Some examples:
- Kathputli, Rajasthan- puppet
- Rogan printing, Kutch (Gujarat)
- Seashell Crafts, Andaman
- Jaipur blue pottery, Rajasthan
- Karuppur Kalamkari paintings, Tamil Nadu
- Aranmula Kannadi, Kerela- mirror, etc.
GI Tags in Agriculture:
Agricultural products are those which are used so frequently and which are known to most of the people. People are familiar with these products and these don’t even require any strategic tactics for promotion. Take the example of rice (basmati, jasmine, kalijira, etc.) or wheat (sharbati, khapli, sihore, etc.) , everyone makes their choice as per the requirement.
- Navara rice, Kerela
- Anglong ginger, Assam
- Mahabaleshwar strawberry, Maharashtra
- Nagpur orange, Maharashtra
- Kashmiri Saffron
GI Tags in Foodstuffs:
Various foodstuffs are provided with GI tags. India’s specialty with respect to spices and food is well known all over the world. There are many issues which are to be taken care of while giving GI to foodstuffs. Presence of prefix of certain geographical location can not be treated as basis for GI, the process of its creation or recipe plays the same important role. Like. in ‘Mysore Pak’ the presence of prefix Mysore will not make it fit for getting a GI.
- Rasgulla (there was a huge controversy regarding this sweet that who has the origin, West Bengal or Orissa, now they both have obtained GI tags for their own versions)
- Bikaneri bhujia, Bikaner (Rajasthan)
GI Tags in Spirit Drinks:
Wines and Spirits being one of the most lucrative industry in the whole world, the admirers of these drinks know the value that geographical and climatic factors are very important in creation of these. A GI tag in these play the role of a sign which enables the consumers get chance of selecting from several varieties wisely.
- Feni, Goa
- Nashik valley wine, Maharashtra
- Judima rice wine, Assam
CONCLUSION-
Registration of GI tags prevents unauthorized use and increase the value of product in national as well as international markets. These are the indicators of culture of a region also. The concept of GI tags protect and promote rural commercial ventures by giving them source and wide range of market to operate. Adoption of promotional techniques will result it development of these commercial ventures strategically.
Like every other Intellectual Property Right, GI also has its own regulations and governing process associated with rights and duties to its holders. If the products are given proper marketing, it may lead to prosperity of those people.
