Fresh list of select geographical indicators

Eleven items including Coimbatore wet-grinders, Coorg oranges and the famous Mysore paintings may soon be added to the list of Indian products which enjoy the benefits of geographical indications.

As part of its plan to boost exports of traditional items and provide protection to indigenous producers, the government is considering the addition of eleven more items to the list during the forthcoming year, said a senior government official.

Geographical indications, under article 22 of the TRIPS Agreement, are defined as an indication used to identify goods with special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory. A trademark, on the other hand, is a sign used in the course of trade and it distinguishes goods or services of one enterprise from those of other.

The registration of goods as geographical indicators will confer legal protection to the producers and will prevent unauthorised use of the registered indicator by others, said a senior government official.

At present, India has nine items as geographical indicators which include Kota doria fabric from Rajasthan and Pochampalli Ikat sarees from Andhra Pradesh. The first round of the process of registration started last year with the first item being registered on 29 October 2004.

The second round is likely to start soon with the government zeroing on the eleven items out of the 36 applications received. The items likely to be registered include Kullu shawls, sandalwood oil and dolls of Channapatna, Karnataka.

The contentious item on the list is basmati rice which is also likely to be registered in the coming year. Registration would also allow the production of the goods at a national level instead of being confined to the particular region from where the good originates.

"The production of the registered indicator should get a boost as other producers will also be able to participate in the production by paying royalties to the registered proprietor," added the official.

Unique items

Geographical indications, under article 22 of the TRIPS Agreement, are indication to identifying goods with special characteristics from a territory.

The items likely to be registered include Coorg oranges, Coimbator wet-grinders, Kullu shawls, sandalwood oil and toys and dolls of Channapatna, Karnataka.

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