INTRODUCTION
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which relates to a specific geographical location or origin. The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product’s source, acts as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a good reputation due to its geographical origin. Geographical indication (GI) is defined in the TRIPS Agreement as an indication which identifies a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a regional locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
Examples of possible Indian Geographical Indications are Basmati Rice, Alphanso Mango, Nagpur Orange, Kolhapuri Chappal, Bikaneri Bhujia, Agra Petha, Paithani and Banaras Saree, Feni (Liquor from Goa), Lonavala Chikki, Tirunelveli Halwa, Mysore Rasam, etc. Geographical Indication signals that particular goods have originated from or are manufactured in a particular territory. A classic example of an international Geographical Indication is Champagne. The goods can be in any form, natural, manufactured or agricultural. Thus, the major concern of geographical indications is protected by the World Intellectual Property Organization ( WIPO).
IMPORTANCE OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION
Several importance of geographical indications are as follows :
- Promotion of economic growth
The protection of geographical indications leads to the overall economic prosperity of the manufacturers and producers. Furthermore, the marketing and promotion of the products with the GI tags enhance the secondary economic activities in that specific region, which in turn boosts the regional economic development. Last but not least, the protection of geographical indications creates a positive image and reputation of the product in the minds of the consumers and rewards the producers with incentives.
- Helps in expansion of business
The prime purpose of registering a geographical indication is to seek protection for specific products produced in a particular geographical region, which further encourages and motivates the marketers to expand their business at a global level. Furthermore, the protection of geographical indications boosts exports and helps the producers in earning well for themselves.
- Prevent unauthorized use of Geographical Indications
The registered holder of the GI tag has all the legal rights to prevent anyone not belonging to the GI region from using their GI tags. The owners can also initiate legal proceedings against the unauthorized user to save their reputation from being damaged.
- Boosts export and import
GI tag bestows the growers with a legal security shield that motivates them to make more efforts and increase the production of better quality products. A rise in production enables the farmers and nation to export more. Hence, we can say that geographical indication boosts up exports.
- Facilitates Tourism sector
The protection of GI tags builds a global reputation for the products. People around the world notice various GI products from different regions and get motivated to visit those regions and use such products. Therefore, it helps in the growth of the tourism industry of that particular region as well.
CONCLUSION
Today, producers in diverse regions of territories tend to produce various goods, but providing each product with geographical indication seems quite arduous. Since the officials have to consider a lot of facts while putting a product into the list of geographical indication achievers, all goods don’t deserve attaining this tag. For acquiring the GI tag, the producers should ensure that their products meet the standards set by the government or other authorities. Hopefully, the above-given merits have helped you in figuring out the significant role geographical indication protection plays in our lives. The GI tag is useful for not just producers but customers and nations as well. Thus, it plays an important role in the economic development of the country.
REFERENCE
- Wikipedia
- www.jagranjosh.com
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com
We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.
We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge