What is the GI tag?
Om Prakash Patidar
Have you ever wondered why Darjeeling tea, chanapatna toys, Mysore silk, Madhubani paintings, Kanchipuram silk saree, Alphonso Mango, Nagpur Orange, Kolhapuri Chappal and Agra Petha are called so? Every region boosts of something unique and the products are their claim to fame. Even in the olden days explorers went in search of such things exclusive certain places, a classic example being that of Christopher Columbus. He tried a new route just for the Indian spices. This reputation of the regions was not built in a day. The products are combination of the best of man and nature and it has been carefully preserved and handed over for generations. In order to celebrate and recognise the unique identity connecting the products and places, the famous GI tag was developed.
The Indian Parliament passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection Act) in December 1999 which aimed at providing a registration and also protection of GI of the goods in India. This Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who is also the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
Quality and reputation
The GI tag is an indication which is definite to a geographical territory. It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods. For a product to get GI tag, the goods need to be produced or processed or prepared in that region. It is also essential that the product has special quality or reputation.
How does it help?
Have you started to wonder how GI tag is useful? It is beneficial because it confers legal protection to the Geographical Indications in India. This identity helps in preventing misuse of a registered GI. Moreover, the legal protection of GI boosts exports. GI tag not only helps the country’s export market but also helps in promoting economic prosperity of the producers.
Any established organisation or authority can apply for GI tag under the law. The application for the GI tag should be addressed to the Registrar of Geographical indications along with the fee. Under the Geographical Indications, persons who deal with production, processing, trading or dealing of agricultural goods, natural goods, making, manufacturing, trading or dealing of handicrafts or industrial goods, specific to the region are called the producers.
Registration of the product under the GI facilitates better legal protection and the authorised user can exercise his right to use the tag effectively. The registration of GI is valid for a period of 10 years each which can be renewed from time to time. If the GI is not renewed then it will be removed from the register.
Public property
A registered GI is a public property which belongs to the producers of the goods. It cannot be used for licensing, pledge, mortgage etc. After the demise of the authorised dealer, his right can be exercised by the successor. It is not without reason that the place of origin is prefixed before the product, GI tag surely makes us proud of the various products of our country.
gratefully:
THE Hindu
11 March 2013