WHAT IS GI TAGGING ?
A geographical indication (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).
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003.
GIs have been defined under Article 22(1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights(TRIPS) Agreement.
PURPOSE OF GI TAGGING
The Geographical indication(GI) tagging was primarily developed with the purpose of recognising the unique identity connecting different products and places.
CRITERIA FOR GI TAGGING
For a product to get GI tag, it has to have a unique quality, reputation or characteristic which is attributable to its geographic origin.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GI TAGGING
Getting a GI tag helps a product to be marketed as exclusively from the geographical region it hails from, be it a food product, a beverage, a fruit, a handicraft, a handloom product or any other regionally exclusive entity.
GI tags help protect traditional knowledge and cultural heritage associated with a product, and ensure that the benefits of such knowledge go to the communities who have preserved it over generations.
GI tags assure customers of the authenticity and quality of the product.
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GI tags also promote tourism by creating awareness and interest in unique local products and attracting tourists to visit the places of origin.
GI tags help farmers and artisans in rural areas to get recognition for their products and earn better livelihoods.
GI tags provide national and international recognition to products that are unique to India, contributing to the country’s branding and image all over the world.
HOW MANY PRODUCTS HAVE RECEIVED GI TAGS SO FAR?
GI Tags in India are used for a variety of products like wine/spirit drinks, handicrafts, agricultural produce, industrial products, etc.
The product from West Bengal, Darjeeling Tea, was accorded the first GI tag in India in the year 2004-05.
The total number of products having GI Tags in India is 643 (April 2024).
The top 3 states holding maximum number of GIs are Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
As of April, 2024, Uttar Pradesh has the most Geographical Indication (GI) tags in India, with 75 products.
External link: https://ipindia.gov.in/registered-gls.htm
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . India enacted The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to: UPSC 2018
a . ILO
b . IMF
c . UNCTAD
d . WTO
Ans d
