Geographical Indication (GI) Tags – APSC Exam Notes
Geography Notes APSC, UPSC and State Exam Notes
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. GI tag sign identify a product as originating in a given place. In addition, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin. There is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.
Geographical Indications protection is granted through the TRIPS Agreement. India has a expeditious and efficient G I tagging mechanism.
Significance of GI tag
- Geographical Indication Tag provides similar intellectual properties rights and protection to holders, like that of Copyright, Patent, Trademark etc.
- A geographical indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards.
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.
- India has 236 GI products registered so far and over 270 more products have applied for the label.
Geographical Indication (GI) Tags in India: State-wise Compilation
This post is a compilation of Geographical Indication Tags (GI Tags) in India, arranged state-wise.
Some of the product from Assam having GI tags
- Muga Silk of Assam
- Muga Silk of Assam (Logo)
- Assam (Orthodox) Logo
- Karbi Anglong Ginger
- Tezpur Litchi
- Joha Rice
GI Tags
- Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product.
- Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.
- As per the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, Articles 1, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
- GI Tags are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
- Proponents of GIs regard them as strong tools for protecting their national property rights. Opponents, however, consider GIs as barriers to trade.