Context:
The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tags to seven products from different regions of India, showcasing the country’s diverse craftsmanship.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- New GI Tags for Indian Crafts
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
New GI Tags for Indian Crafts:
- ‘Jalesar Dhatu Shilp’ – Craft of Decorative Metal and Brassware from Jalesar, Uttar Pradesh.
- ‘Mankurad Mango’ (also known as ‘Malcorada’) – Unique Variety of Mangoes from Goa.
- ‘Goan Bebinca’ – Traditional Indo-Portuguese Pudding, the ‘Queen of Goan Desserts’.
- Rajasthan’s GI Tags:
- Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft.
- Bikaner Kashidakari Craft.
- Jodhpur Bandhej Craft.
- Bikaner Usta Kala Craft.
Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Definition and Importance:
- Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
- They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
- GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.
Administration and Registration:
- Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.
Significance and Examples:
- GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
- The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
- Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.
Ownership and Proprietorship:
- Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
- The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
- Protection and Enforcement:
- Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
- Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.
Location of the Geographical Indications Registry:
- The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.
-Source: Indian Express
