An Overview of Geographical Indications in India | UJA Legal Chronicle

Geographical Indications (GIs) contribute significantly to intellectual property (IP) law and hold great importance for many countries. Typically, a GI includes the name of a specific place that defines the origin of certain goods. The protection of GIs can be seen as joint exclusive rights granted to producers in a geographical area eligible for protection. These rights aim to safeguard their interests and help combat unfair competition. Additionally, GIs enhance the value of products and reduce the potential for “consumer deception.” Evolution of Geographical Indications Laws In India Before 1999, there was no law in India to protect Geographical Indications. Therefore, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 was enacted and came into effect on September 15, 2003. Several rules and amendments followed: The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registrati...