Geographical Indication (GI) indicates goods as originating in a specific geographical region having characteristics, qualities essentially attributable to that region. Unlike other Intellectual Property Rights which guarantees the protection of individual interest, GI protects collective right of the community. India as a member of World Trade Organization (WTO) enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on September 15, 2003 in compliance with Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
India boasts a diverse array of products that have been granted Geographical Indication status, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and agricultural heritage. From exquisite handicrafts to delectable culinary delights, there are over 560 GI registered across India as of January 2024 that can be grouped under five categories namely, Handicrafts (289), Agriculture (180), Manufactured (45), Foodstuffs (44), and Natural (2). Tamil Nadu tops the list with 59 registered products. Uttar Pradesh stands second with 54 products and Karnataka ranks third with 45 products. Considering the recently advertised products and number of upcoming registrations, the state wise ranking might change in the near future.
GI tagged products often serve as economic engines for the regions where they originate, providing income opportunities for the local producers, creating jobs and stimulating crafting tourism. As consumer awareness and appreciation for authentic, region-specific products grow, GIs can serve as a valuable marketing tool for Indian producers, leading to increased exports and revenue generation. In the present time there is a lot of demand in the public for textile and other products. At present, DPIIT, NABARD, MSME, etc., institutions are focusing on direct marketing of the GI products. Moreover, GI under GST regime offers economic benefits such as tax incentives, export opportunities, compliance advantages and market expansion, all of which contribute to the prosperity of communities involved in the production of the GI products.
GI products often command premium prices in the market due to their unique qualities, traditional production methods, cultural heritage, assurance of certain quality and distinctiveness. Producers recognize the economic benefits of selling GI-certified products, which incentivizes them to seek GI status for additional products to capitalize on market demand and increase their revenue. The value of the product increases after securing GI tag and gains popularity in the global market. For instance, Kashmir Saffron got registered in the year 2020. The GI tag elevated the market value and recognition of Kashmir Saffron. The price of the product before obtaining GI was Rs.180/gram, whereas now the price of the product has increased to Rs.227/gram. The Total production of the product has also increased from 16.54 metric tonnes per hectare (2020-21) to 22.45 metric tonnes per hectare (2023-24). With the GI tag, Kashmir Saffron has gained greater exposure in both domestic and international markets. Major countries of export include Nepal, Israel, Canada and UK. In the G20 Summit 2023 held in Delhi, Kashmir Saffron was one among the gift presented to the World leaders.
India has made significant strides in promotion and protection of Geographical Indications and has taken several proactive steps to promote the GI tagged products both in the Indian and global market. India’s diverse range of GI products, spanning handicrafts, agricultural produce, textiles and culinary delights, hold immense appeal in international markets. As global consumers increasingly prioritize authenticity, quality and sustainability, Indian GIs have the potential to capture a larger share of the global market. GI (Geographical Indications) Fair India is being organised every year from 2022 by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) which is a common platform for producers of GI products, buyers and visitors to see, sell and source India's best nurtured products. The first edition of GI Fair India attracted 11000+ visitors from India & overseas. Further, the third edition of the Fair is going to be held in 20-24th June 2024.
Over and above, the Government has established various Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) to cater to the specific requirements of different export products and thus, to help and assist Indian exporters by providing access to international markets, promoting Indian products through various activities and increasing the overall exports from India. TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited), Ministry of Tribal Affairs facilitated the promotion of GI tagged products along with other tribal products and transform them into a brand, symbolizing empowerment of tribal artisans. In 2021, GI products were featured in ‘Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav’, where exquisite products such as Rajasthan’s blue pottery, the Kota Doriya fabric, Madhya Pradesh’s Chanderi and Maheshwar silk, Bagh prints of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa Pattachitra from Odisha, Bidriware from Karnataka, Banaras Brocades and Sarees from Uttar Pradesh, Darjeeling tea from West Bengal, Kala Jeera from Himachal Pradesh, the spicy Naga Mircha (Chilli) and the large cardamoms from the North-east were featured.
Initiatives taken by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) to promote GI tagged products in India by organizing Virtual Buyer Seller Meets on agricultural and food products with countries like UAE, USA and Qatar in association with the Indian Missions abroad. Also, APEDA in 17th June, 2022 in association with the Embassy of India, Brussels organized GI Mango Promotion Programme and Tasting Event in Belgium. Furthermore, APEDA facilitated GI Mango promotion Programme at Copenhagen, Denmark in association with Embassy of India at Copenhagen.
APEDA facilitated export of GI Products to different destinations. Major shipments of GI products in 2021 included export of Naga Mircha (King Chilli) from Nagaland to UK, Black Rice from Manipur to the United Kingdom, Assam Lemon to the United Kingdom and Italy, three GI varieties of Mango (Fazli, Khirsapati, and Laxmanbhog) from West Bengal and one GI variety of Mango (Zardalu) from Bihar to Bahrain and Qatar. Moreover, APEDA organized in-store promotional programmes in importing countries in association with foreign retailers to enhance exports.
Showcasing India’s rich hospitality, the gifts shared to the foreign delegates during G20 summit included a curated compilation of handcrafted artefacts and GI tagged products such as Sunderban Honey, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee, Kashmir Saffron, Mata Ni Pachedi and so on. As a result of various awareness programmes and promotional activities organized by the Government, the number of GI applications received by the Registry and the number of registrations are increasing constantly. Chart-1 shows the year wise GI applications filed and number of applications registered.
Further, any person claiming to be the producer of the goods in respect of which geographical indication has been registered shall apply to be registered as Authorised User (AU). The concept of Authorised User is unique to Indian system of protecting GI and gives exclusive right to use the registered GI. Geographical Indication Registry started receiving GI Authorised User applications from May 2009 and received only 101 applications in the year 2009 - 10. The Registry took many initiatives and organized awareness programmes throughout India to promote GI Authorised User application. The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2020 amended the fee for registration of authorised user application from Rs.500 to Rs.10. Subsequently, the number of GI Authorised User applications received by the Registry continued to increase every year and as of January 2024, 25830 GI Authorised User applications are registered across India. Chart-2 shows the year wise GI Authorised User applications filed and number of Authorised User applications registered.
Many GI initiatives aim to involve local communities, including women, in governance and management of GI products which provides women opportunities for economic empowerment, market access, value addition, inclusive development and sustainable livelihoods. The Honourable PM Narendra Modi in episode 89 of 'Mann Ki Baat', mentioned about a Women Self-Help group from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. They gifted GI tagged products like Thanjavur Doll, Bronze sculptures to the Honourable Prime Minister among other products. The GI tagged products are scripting a new saga of Women empowerment, Women's Self-Help group stores and local kiosks.
As India continues its journey towards economic growth and cultural preservation, Geographical Indications emerge as a powerful tool for empowering rural communities. The next decade is going to be remarkable for geographical indications in India, considering the initiatives taken by the Government like Make in India, Skill India, One District One Product, Self-Reliant India, Vocal for Local and Local for Global, etc. Protection and promotion of GI products empowers local producers, especially small-scale farmers and artisans, by ensuring fair prices for their products by embracing the diversity and richness of its geographical heritage. India can chart a path towards inclusive growth and global recognition. In conclusion, Geographical Indications serve as custodians of India's cultural legacy, weaving together stories of tradition, craftsmanship, and identity marching towards economic growth.
This week's IP Wave is written by Intellectual Property Office Professionals.
Legal Analyst, Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai.
Yogendra Singh,
Legal Analyst, Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai.
Hari Priya .B,
Law Co-ordinator, Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai.
C.K.Kalaiselvi,
Legal Analyst, Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai.
