Geographical Indications in Indian Handloom Sector

Introduction

Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspectof industrial property which refers to the geographical indication referring toa country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place oforigin of that product.

The year 2007-08 recorded a surge inthe registration of Geographical Indications (GIs). During the year, 31 GIswere registered. This is more than the total number of GIs registered duringall 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 ofGoods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 was brought into force on 15September 2003. This is a sui genericlegislation intended to give better protection to GIs of India. Theregistration is done by the Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai.

Few Examples of Geographical Indications

India: Orissa's unique Kotpad tribal textile designs to bepatented

State Government has initiated the procedure to patent theexclusive and original textile designs from Orissa, so that the textilecompanies are unable to replicate them. Kotpad design of tribals belonging toundivided Koraput district has already been registered while textile designsfrom Sambalpuri, Berhampuri, Bomkei, Nuapatna and Sonepuri will be patentedsoon. 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 patentindicator

The Kutchi weavers, Jamnagar bandhini artisans and Ajrak printing craftsmen, who are trying to protect their traditional knowledge by patenting themunder the Geographical Indication Act (GIA) will soon join the league of thetraditional embroiders of Kutch. These traditional embroiders have got theirtraditional craft patented last year. Efforts have also been taken to patentwood carving, pottery, lacquer work, batik and cowbells specific to the region,in the next phase, for which the stakeholders of Kutchi handicrafts formed anassociation. The GIA protects the particular form of handicrafts from itsmisuse and commercialization by patenting it in the name of community thatholds the traditional wisdom of crafting it. The Kutchi embroidery was patentedlast year, in the name of embroidery workers from the community under GIA. Thestakeholders 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 byChennai's GI Registry. This is the first time that a product from Assam has got the prestigious GI recognition. According to sources, the registration, whichwas done on July 20 2008, was based on Muga silk's uniqueness and itstraditional 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 everywash. It is also used to make the mekhela-chador, a traditional dress worn bybrides 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.

The GIs registered during 2007-08, inter alia, include Muga Silk from Assam, Madhubani Paintings from Bihar, Aleppy Coir, Navara and Palakkadan Mutta Rice varieties, Malabar Pepper and Aleppy Green Cardamom from Kerala, Salem and Arani Silks and Kovai Cora Cotton from Tamil Nadu, Allahabad Surkha from Uttar Pradesh, Nakshi Kantha from West Bengal, Silver Filigree from Andhra Pradesh, and Ilkal Sarees and Monsooned Malabar Coffees from Karnataka and Kerala.

During 2007-08, the Geographical Indications Registry received 37 applications which include Bagh Prints of Dhar from Madhya Pradesh, Banaras Brocades and Sarees and Lucknow Chikan Craft from Uttar Pradesh, Kutch Embroidery from Gujarat, Naga Mircha from Nagaland, Fazli Mango from West Bengal, Pipli Applique Work from Orissa, Goan Cashew Feni from Goa, Assam Tea from Assam, and Nilgiri Tea from Tamil Nadu. These and other applications are under various stages of processing.

In order to give a boost to the registration of GIs, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has recently addressed all State Governments to take initiative in promoting registration of GIs of their states.

Registration Details of G.I Applications 2003-2008

*50-61 - Would Be Forwarded for Registration Certificate Signing On 30-03-2008 and would be despatched to the respective Registered Proprietors on 31-03-2008.

Conclusion

Geographical Identification in handloom sector introduced to protect identity of product but after getting GI weavers are facing problems of duplication for example, Last year, in September, after a protracted litigation, the Kashmiri Pashmina received the Geographical Indications of Goods patent, which is akin to an intellectual property rights. But the benefits that were supposed to accrue from the patent, have been washed away due to the global economic turmoil. The Kashmiri Pashmina is facing the same troubles, which is being faced by another traditional industry of the Kashmir valley; carpets. As it is the Pashmina was facing troubles due to the prevalence of fakes which was decimating the original, as the customers are not able to distinguish between an original and fake Pashmina. In the way that droves of craftsmen are leaving the carpet manufacturing industry for better pastures, the Pashmina industry is also feeling the same pangs, as traditional weavers are deserting the trade as income has gone down drastically, more so to do with the recessionary trends prevailing in global markets.

References:

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