Geographical indication (GI)
GI is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country).
Approved by the Geneva-headquartered World Trade Organization, a GI tag recognises the place of origin of a product and the specific qualities or means of production associated with it. GI Tag acts as a certificate and it is a way of ensuring that similar products from elsewhere cannot be sold under this name.
Validity of GI Tag
A GI Tag is valid for a decade, after which it can be renewed for another 10 years.
Who approves GI Tag in India?
In India, the GI tag is governed by the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act which came into being in 1999.
GI Tags of 2019
- Palani Panchamirtham, a ‘prasadam’ or religious offering in temples: Palani Town, Tamil Nadu
- Tawlhlohpuan, is a fine quality fabric woven: Mizoram
- Mizo Puanchei, essentially a shawl, is considered the most colourful textile: Mizoram
- Tirur betel vine valued for its medicinal and cultural usages: Malappuram district of Kerala
‘Odisha rasagola‘, for the delectable eastern sweet: Odisha
- Kandhamal Haladi-Agricultural-Odisha
- Kodaikanal Malai Poondu-Agricultural– Tamil Nadu
- Pawndum-Handicraft-Mizoram
- Ngotekherh-Handicraft-Mizoram
- Hmaram-Handicraft-Mizoram
- Gulbarga Tur Dal-Agricultural-Karnataka
- Irish Whiskey-Manufactured-Ireland
- Khola Chilli-Agricultural-Goa
- Idu Mishmi Textile-Handicraft– Arunachal Prades
- Dindigul Locks-Manufactured– Tamil Nadu
- Kandangi Saree-Handicraft– Tamil Nadu
- Srivilliputtur Palkova— Food Stuff- Tamil Nadu
- Kaji Nemu-Agricultural—Assam
GI tags – a requirement of TRIPS agreement
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003.
Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag. In 2004, the famous beverage got the recognition.
Other GI Related News-
- The bitter war over the rasagola appears to have ended in a draw—the geographical indicator (GI) was granted to Odisha on Monday for the ‘Odisha rasagola’, less than two years after West Bengal won its own GI tag for the delectable eastern sweet.
- The Chennai-based GI Registry on Monday issued a formal certification for the ‘Odisha rasagola’ on its website.
- Madhya Pradesh’s attempts to join the elite ‘Basmati’ league has failed once again as the Madras High court has dismissed the state’s plea seeking geographical indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice grown in areas falling under the state.
In May 2010, GI status was given to basmati grown only in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Note- Almost every year in Prelims, there is a question related to GI tags/IPR etc.
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