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GITANJALI MARIA GAUTHAM S SANJAY ADITYA R NAGESH V SARALAYA JUSTIN JOSEPH

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INTRODUCTION

• It is a type of intellectual property• It is a name or sign used on certain products which

corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country).

• Geographical indications are intended to designate product quality, highlight brand identity, and preserve cultural traditions.

• Often food products. E.g: Champagne, Florida oranges, New Zealand lamb.

• But not limited to agro products, extended to any product. E.g: Swiss watches, Czech Crystals, Indian carpets.

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HISTORY OF GI

• First GI system used in France –20th century--appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC).– Items that meet geographical origin and quality standards may

be endorsed with a government-issued stamp which acts as official certification of the origins and standards of the product to the consumer.

– E.g: Gruyère cheese (from Switzerland) and many French wines.

Geographical indications have long been associated with the concept of terroir and with Europe as an entity, where there is a tradition of associating certain food products with particular regions

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CONDITIONS TO GET GI

• It relates to a good although, in some countries, services are also included;

• These goods/services must originate from a defined area;

• The goods/services must have qualities, reputations or other characteristics which are clearly linked to the geographical origin of goods.

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NECESSITY OF GI

• Geographical indications allows producers to obtain market recognition and often a premium price.

• Geographical indications have become a key source of niche marketing.

• Geographical indications are also often associated with non-monetary benefits such as the protection of knowledge and community rights.

International Agreements and Organizations on Geographical Indications

Agreements

Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883)

• Applies to industrial property in the widest sense.

• Three main categories: national treatment, right of priority, common rules

Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration (1958)

• The Agreement is open to States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883).

• About 170 geographical indications were registered by Lisbon Agreement members as of 1997.

Organizations• One of the 17 specialized agencies of

the United Nations created in 1967.

• Currently has 185 member states and is

headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

• To promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.

• Francis Gurry is the current Director General of WIPO

Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (1994)

• Two basic obligations on WTO member governments relating to GIs in the TRIPS agreement

• Article 22: Prevent misleading the public as to the geographical origin of the good

• Article 23: prevent the use of a geographical indication identifying wines not originating in the place.

GI in India

• India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003.

• the Central Government of India has established the Geographical Indications Registry with all India jurisdiction in Chennai.

• The GI Act is being administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks who is the Registrar of Geograph‐ical Indications.

Product wise distribution of GIs registered in India till 15 August 2009

Product category No. of registered GIs1. Handicrafts 73 2. Agricultural Products 24 3. Manufactured Products 6 4. Horticulture 2 5. Foodstuff 1 6. Total GIs registered 106

Challenges

• Low brand value• Lack of awareness of rules & regulations.• rampant misuse of Indian Gis.• Immigration of labors.

GI

Examples of geographical indications

Columbia Columbian coffeeIndia Basmati (rice)Greece Ouzo (spirit)France Champagne (sparkling wine),

Roquefort (cheese)Mexico Tequila (spirit)Italy Parma hamSwitzerland Etivaz, Gruyere (cheese)Portugal Port (wine)USA Idaho Potatoes (New England)

EU & GI

• Three European Union schemes of geographical indications and traditional specialities known as

• Protected designation of origin (PDO), • Protected geographical indication (PGI)• Traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) They promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs.

Why are geographical indications valuable?

• GIs are a marketing tool• Reputation for quality associated with place

name used on labels, advertising• GI-identified products are believed to

command higher prices• Of particular interest to developing countries

Controversies

• Consumer vs. producer interests• Long-time, generic use of expressions that

have geographic origins (parmesan)• Differing national treatment of GIs

-weaker: (Canada, US) “Canadian Champagne;” “American-made Pecorino cheese”

-stronger: (EU) GI use reserved to producers in the region, even if other origin is indicated

Geographical indications and trademarks

• GIs are closely related to trademarks; both indicate product origin

• GIs and trademarks differ in two ways:1. A trademark belongs to a particular company; it

distinguishes that company’s products. GIs are shared by all producers in the region identified by the GI.

2. GIs attach to a location; trademarks don’t.

GI and International Trade

• Regulated locally by each country• Varying conditions of registration and differences in the generic use of terms • True of food and beverage names which frequently use geographical terms

(Shiraz)• International reputation of products may breed unfair competition (Consumers

& Producers)

European Union Initiative

• European Union Initiative- Establishment of DOOR • Supports the agricultural product quality policy• Modern IT system for the dissemination of public data • Registered PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin), PGIs (Protected

Geographical Indications) and TSG (Traditional Specialties Guaranteed)

Denomination (in original language only) Type of product Member State of origin Product specification (original language only) Summary in all official languages Dates of application and registration Name and contact details of the responsible authority

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF GI

• Higher retail price and better distribution of economic returns for primary producers

• Capitalize on consumers’ desire for authentic, quality products - 1999 consumer survey -40% of EU consumers ready to pay premium price for origin-guaranteed products

• Production of growth: increase production output and land value

• Legal protection creates opportunities for investment in a product and region

• Rural development and sustainability: provide the right owners with the opportunity to get economic benefits from their geographical indication and with the right to exclude non-entitled users

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