IASNOVA
Almost every year there are 1 to 2 questions related to Geographical Indications,so students need to do this topic properly.
Examples-
Prelims 2018
Q- India enacted The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to
- ILO
- IMF
- UNCTAD
- WTO
Answer- WTO
Q- Consider the following pairs :
Craft Heritage of
- Puthukkuli shawls Tamil Nadu
- Sujni embroidery Maharashtra
- Uppada Jamdani saris Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
All you need to know about GI-
What is a Geographical Indication?
- It is an indication
- It originates from a definite geographical territory.
- It is used to identify agricultural, natural or manufactured goods
- The manufactured goods should be produced or processed or prepared in that territory.
- It should have a special quality or reputation or other characteristics
What is the benefit of registration of geographical indications?
- It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India
- Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others
- It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications which in turn boost exports.
- It promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.
Who is a producer in relation to a Geographical Indication?
The persons dealing with three categories of goods are covered under the term Producer:
- Agricultural Goods includes the production, processing, trading or dealing
- Natural Goods includes exploiting, trading or dealing
- Handicrafts or Industrial goods includes making, manufacturing, trading or dealing
How a geographical indication is different from a trade mark?
A trade mark is a sign which is used in the course of trade and it distinguishes goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Whereas a geographical indication is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
Geographical Indication in India
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.
In India, a GI’s registry operates in Chennai in accordance with the provisions of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.
The GI tag is accorded by the office of controller general of patents, designs and trade marks.
Darjeeling Tea – the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag.
Karnataka – state with the highest number of GI tags
Kerala – second highest number of GI tags
Jharkhand – state with no GI tag.
Important thing to be noted is that generally every year one question is related to GI tags and one needs to know about GI tags accorded in last one year and the most famous ones.
To check the compilation of GI tags in news in last one year and the most probable ones click on the link below.
Geographical Indications( GI) Tags in News
