Lack of awareness about the importance of geographical indicators for goods is pushing many products, unique to India, out of business, according to the Trade Marks & GI Registry, the Intellectual Property office of India.
Geographical Indication identifies a product whose quality, reputation and other characteristics are attributable to its geographic origin.
A product, which may vary from handicraft to handloom, from agricultural product to manufactured goods, with a GI stamp conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributed to a particular geographical locality, region or country.
According to Chinnaraja G Naidu, Assistant Registrar, Trade Marks & GI Registry, Intellectual Property office of India, the main problem is that producers and manufacturers of such intellectual properties in India were not aware of the plus points of getting a GI tag for their products.
"The problem in India is basically lack of awareness among traders and manufactures about the benefits of the GI tag," Naidu told PTI.
The famous example is that of the scramble to get the GI tag for Basmati rice after Bangladesh staked its claim for inclusion in the proposed joint registration of Basmati rice under the Geographical Indication law between Pakistan and India.
Islamabad is strongly opposed to countries other than India and Pakistan growing or exporting rice under the Basmati label.
According to Naidu, there are around 4,000 products in India which have eligibility for getting GI tags.
"Out of these 4,000 products, we have received applications for only 395 products. And of these, 195 products have been given GI stamp," Naidu said.
