Kancheepuram Sarees, a famous product made in the Kancheepuram region of Tamil Nadu, was registered under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The Kancheepuram Handloom Silk Weave

Kancheepuram Sarees, a famous product made in the Kancheepuram region of Tamil Nadu, was registered under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The Kancheepuram Handloom Silk Weavers Co-operative Society Limited was constituted to register "Kancheepuram GI" by traditional authentic weavers residing in Kancheepuram region. The registration of a similar society was also made by the non-traditional producers which used the same G.I. against which the dispute arose. The Kancheepuram Society of Traditional Weavers filed a petition challenging the registration of a similar G.I. for the product, claiming that it would result in the misuse and exploitation of their traditional craft. The petitioners argued that only the authentic weavers from the Kancheepuram region should be entitled to use the G.I. for Kancheepuram Sarees and that "Broader definition could result in the dilution of the uniqueness and quality of the product. Therefore, the G.I. of Kancheepuram Sarees should be exclusive to the traditional weavers, of the Kancheepuram region and the G.I. Act should be interpreted in a way that protected the authenticity and tradition of the product. Any registration extending the use of G.I. beyond this would lead to the exploitation of their craft. Union of India, the respondent, argued that G.I. Act is intended to protect the geographical origin of a product and does not restrict registration based on the type of producer. It should be extended to all the producers traditional as well as non-traditional weaver communities which produce authentic "Kancheepuram Sarees". Considering the above case study, answer the following questions in the light of Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. What is meant by Geographical Indication ?