Geographical Indication (GI) tags

As the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) puts it, geographical indications are an important tool for promoting the reputation of traditional and regional products, protecting intellectual property and supporting local economies.

GI tags have become a popular way for consumers to identify products that are unique to a particular region. This article explains what a GI tag is, its benefits and how it is obtained in India.

What is a Geographical Indication tag?

A GI tag is a certification that a product has a specific quality, reputation or other characteristic linked to the region it originates from. It is a form of intellectual property that identifies and protects the reputation of goods produced in a specific region.

To qualify, a product generally needs a unique production process, a specific geographical area of production, and a reputation linked to that area. Once registered, the product becomes part of a regional brand that consumers recognise and that can be used to promote it.

What are the benefits of a GI tag?

GI tags help both producers and consumers.

• Protection for producers: a GI helps protect the product’s reputation, prevent counterfeiting and create a unique selling point.
• Regional pride and economy: by linking a product to a region, producers draw on its cultural heritage and promote the local economy.
• Assurance for consumers: buyers can be more confident that a product is authentic, made by traditional methods and unique to its region.
• Support for communities: an informed choice supports local communities and economies.

How does a GI tag work?

A producer or group of producers applies for the tag, and the application is examined to check that the product meets the criteria, such as being produced in a specific area or having a unique production process. If it does, the GI is registered and can be used to market and promote the product.

In some cases the GI is attached to the product itself, as with wines and spirits. In other cases it is a label or logo that identifies the product and its origin.

How do you get a GI tag in India?

Members of the World Trade Organization increasingly see GIs as valuable marketing and protection tools. In India, GI tags are issued under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect on 15 September 2003. Applications go to the Geographical Indications Registry, which works under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The main steps are:

• Identify the product: choose a product with a unique quality or reputation linked to its region.
• Form a group: the producers form an association or group that represents the product and its origin, with a legal identity.
• Apply: the group submits an application to the GI Registry with details of the product (name, origin and unique qualities), details of the producers or their association, and evidence that the product has a quality or reputation linked to the region.
• Examination: the Registry checks the application. If it is in order, it is published in the Geographical Indications Journal.
• Objections: if nobody objects within the specified period, the GI is granted. If there is an objection, it is decided under the procedure of the Act.
• Registration: once granted, the GI is registered, which gives the product and its origin legal protection.

Why do GI tags matter?

GI tags promote and protect traditional products from specific regions. They protect reputation, discourage counterfeiting and support local economies. As consumers look for authentic, high-quality products from local communities, GI tags are likely to become even more widespread.

Sources and further reading

• Geographical indications – WIPO (in English)
• Geographical indications in India – Wikipedia (in English)

Image credit: “Kondapalli toys at a house in Vijayawada” by Adityamadhav83, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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