Introduction

Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refers 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.

The year 2007-08 recorded a surge in the registration of Geographical Indications (GIs). During the year, 31 GIs were registered. This is more than the total number of GIs registered during all the previous years since the registration process commenced in India. The total number of GI products registered in the country now stands at 61.

The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 was brought into force on 15 September 2003. This is a sui generic legislation intended to give better protection to GIs of India. The registration is done by the Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai.

Few Examples of Geographical Indications

India: Orissa's unique Kotpad tribal textile designs to be patented

State Government has initiated the procedure to patent the exclusive and original textile designs from Orissa, so that the textile companies are unable to replicate them. Kotpad design of tribals belonging to undivided Koraput district has already been registered while textile designs from Sambalpuri, Berhampuri, Bomkei, Nuapatna and Sonepuri will be patented soon. A project is being developed by the Xavier's Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, for reforming Sambalpuri Vastraly, a state cooperative enterprise, supported by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which would be then approved by the Centre.

Kutchi craftsmen apply for geographical patent indicator

The Kutchi weavers, Jamnagar bandhini artisans and Ajrak printing craftsmen, who are trying to protect their traditional knowledge by patenting them under the Geographical Indication Act (GIA) will soon join the league of the traditional embroiders of Kutch. These traditional embroiders have got their traditional craft patented last year. Efforts have also been taken to patent wood carving, pottery, lacquer work, batik and cowbells specific to the region, in the next phase, for which the stakeholders of Kutchi handicrafts formed an association. The GIA protects the particular form of handicrafts from its misuse and commercialization by patenting it in the name of community that holds the traditional wisdom of crafting it. The Kutchi embroidery was patented last year, in the name of embroidery workers from the community under GIA. The stakeholders in the other forms of handicrafts have now come together to protect the traditional crafts that could be called quintessentially Kutchi.

GI registration conferred upon Muga silk

Bringing cheer to the manufacturers, Assam's famous golden-yellow Muga silk has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration by Chennai's GI Registry. This is the first time that a product from Assam has got the prestigious GI recognition. According to sources, the registration, which was done on July 20 2008, was based on Muga silk's uniqueness and its traditional history which is intricately woven with that of Assam's. Muga silk is obtained from the silkworm Antheraea assamensis found in Assam. It has a natural golden colour and shiny texture. Its luster increases with every wash. It is also used to make the mekhela-chador, a traditional dress worn by brides and women taking part in bihu dances. Muga is in great demand in Japan, where it is used to make kimonos. Other countries importing the rich silk are the USA, Greece, Germany, South Africa and France.