Chanderi silks likely to get GI protection soon

The famous Chanderi silks from Madhya Pradesh is next in line, after Pochampally ikkat, to get the necessary clearances for geographical indication (GI) protection.

Chanderi, a town in Madhya Pradesh, is famous for its production of fine cotton and gold silk sarees that have delicate 'zari' (gold thread) woven into it.

Chanderi silks' waiting period is likely to get over soon. "After Pochampally ikkat, Chanderi silks will most probably be the next textile to get GI protection," S Chandrasekharan, controller general "� patents, designs, trade marks and registrar of GI, said.

Aranmula kannadi from Kerala, basmati rice and Kanchivaram silk are the other products that have filed for a GI protection, he added, on the sidelines of a workshop on protection of GI in India.

GI is an intellectual property right (IPR) that identifies a good as originating in a territory.

However, while other IPRs like patents, copyrights, and trademarks are rewards for new creations, GIs are recognition for already existing products "� with the characteristics of the good also attributable to the particular territory. Darjeeling tea is an example of a product that has GI protection in India.

When an association of persons files the application for a GI, the GI registry places an advertisement stating that an application for the concerned product has been filed.

If the registry does not receive any opposition for the same within three months (waiting period) after the advertisement is placed, the product is given clearance and is registered. "This apart, we are also planning to start online filing of applications from January 1, 2005," Chandrasekharan said.

Due to the absence of this facility so far, there were complaints from certain quarters stating that the application and documentation procedure was tedious.

With the facilitation of online filing, electronic linking of data for the trademark and GI registry is also likely to take place. "Those products that have been given trademarks cannot be given a geographical indication . Therefore, electronic linking of data between both the registries is essential," V Ravi, joint registrar of trademarks, trademarks registry, said.

During the workshop, a recommendation was also made by the assistant registrar, GI registry, V Natarajan, asking associations to come forward to get Tirupati laddoo protected.

"Andhra Pradesh is famous for its Tirupati laddoo. There are, however, many people even in other cities selling laddoos by the same name with the aim of encashing on its fame. So if Tirupati laddoo also gets this protection, such activities can be curbed."

GI confers legal protection on a product to prevent unauthorised use of a registered GI by others.