"Registering a Geographical Indication is a catalyst to getting scattered individuals together. Gls are meant to benefit a community of local producers and act as an appellation or indicator of the geographical origin of

The Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 has been made to secure the interests of producers of unique products drawing specific quality from that particular region, and to protect consumers from deception. The term GI refers to any indication that identifies goods as originating from a particular place, where a given quality, reputation or particular characteristic of the goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Examples: Columbian Coffee, Darjeeling tea, Champagne wine and Bordeaux cheese. Registered GI with distinctive signs helps artisans, weavers and others from onslaught of corporate competition using the name of geographical origin. GI secures consumers from the confusion of counterfeits and artisans from undue competition. Unique quality arising out of that place coupled with the skill of artisans fetches the premium price. While patents and copyrights belong to individuals, the GI is a collective right of community protected either by their group or state, helping artists and artisans to survive. In collective right, the knowledge or intellect is in public domain, and rights are held in perpetuity. In case of GIs the right-holders' rights are circumscribed, i.e., they cannot assign these rights to others but can prevent makers from other areas from selling their makes projecting that those are produced in that particular geographical areas. These rights are required to be retained in specified territory so that the artisans in that area enjoy the exclusive commercial benefits. Every region has something unique and exclusive to offer and the G.I. tag honours and recognises these distinctive identity markers of these products and methods of production. There are plenty good reasons to opt for one such as maximization of the export value and safeguarding cultural heritage, amongst others: Branding : The regional specificity becomes a brand in itself acting as a marketing tactic. It also helps in the elimination of intermediaries leading to higher profits for the producers of the heritage art and goods. Proof of quality : A GI tag is a guarantee of premium quality of the product coming from its association to a certain region and the history of that product in that territory, especially as it is recognized by the national government of the country of origin (and in some cases, multiple governments all over the world). This in turn increases the possible income in the market both from the premium quality and the heritage attached to it. Authenticity : A similar superior quality can be imitated by the means of the power loom and other industrial methods, which acts as a threat to the uniqueness of the handcrafted material but the presence of a GI tag preserves the essence derived from centuries of practice and honing the craft by giving the product a market edge over the imitations. Cultural protection : The products that receive a GI tag are rooted in the heritage of the place whether they are natural or manufactured goods, and the tag helps preserve the traditional methods of production helping protect the local culture and heritage. Many crafts that had been dying from the lack of patronage have been revived post being awarded the tag from the awareness and publicity created resultantly. Economic boost : The economic value of a product with a GI tag attached is higher than a regular product due to the promise of quality attached to it and it also helps boost the demand of the product in the market. Registrations for GIs are not necessary, however the organizations or companies who register their geographical indications obtain numerous benefits of the registration including: Registered geographical indications have the exclusive right to exploit or use the GIs' products in the course of trade. The authorized users are allowed to issue infringements It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India Prevents unauthorized use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others