Geographical Indication

About Geographical Indicator A Geographical indicator (GI) refers to an indicator used in trade to identify a product as originating from a particular territory (e.g., a town, region, or country) which has given the product its special quality or reputation. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country. Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indicator are covered as an element of IPRs. They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indicator of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement as: “Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin.” The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorized users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name. Darjeeling tea became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004–2005. Examples of possible Indian Geographical Indicator. Basmati Rice Darjeeling Tea Kanchipuram silk saree Nagpur orange Kolhapuri chappal Bikaneri bhujia Agra petha   A Geographical Indication (GI) gives assurance to consumers that the product they buy comes from a particular place and has the unique characteristics associated with this GI. It differentiates the product identified by the GI from other products that are not labelled with the GI.    

A geographical indication (GI) 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.