Geographical Indications: From Local Pride to Global Protection

 Geographical Indications: From Local Pride to Global Protection

—  by Suryavanshi IAS for UPSC Aspirants

---

What is a Geographical Indication (GI)?

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a form of intellectual property right (IPR) granted to products that owe their origin, quality, and reputation to a particular geographical region. These are not just products — they are heritage bound in soil, skill, and centuries.

📖 Defined under Article 22(1) of the TRIPS Agreement (1995) and protected in India by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (effective since 2003).

---

Legal and Institutional Framework

Framework	Description
TRIPS (WTO)	Recognizes GI as a form of IPR to prevent misuse of region-specific names.
GI Act, 1999 (India)	Provides for registration, legal protection, prohibition of unauthorised use, and remedies for infringement.
GI Registry	Located in Chennai, under Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks.

GI tags are granted for agricultural goods, handicrafts, food items, and manufactured goods.

India currently has 658 GI tags (as of 2025), including:

• Darjeeling Tea (First GI in India)
• Kolhapuri Chappals
• Kashmir Saffron
• Kancheepuram Silk
• Madhubani Paintings

---

Why GI Matters Beyond Legal Protection

Let’s look deeper into three dimensions:

🔹 1. Socio-Cultural Impact

• Preserves indigenous knowledge systems, crafts, and agricultural traditions.
• Maintains cultural identity in the age of homogenised mass production.
• Strengthens community pride and legacy transmission.

E.g., Warli paintings or Pattachitra art not only survive but thrive due to GI protection.

🔹 2. Economic Impact

• Boosts rural and artisanal incomes through premium pricing and market exclusivity.
• Enhances export potential, especially for unique and handmade products.
• Attracts tourism and brand value to regions (e.g., Kullu shawls, Banarasi sarees).

According to a WTO study, GI-tagged products have a price premium of at least 20–30% over non-GI counterparts.

🔹 3. Environmental & Ethical Impact

• Promotes sustainable practices tied to traditional methods (e.g., organic paddy in Koraput).
• Prevents biopiracy and misappropriation of cultural and natural resources.

---

Challenges in GI Implementation

Area	Key Challenges
Legal	GI rights are territorial — no automatic global protection. Multinational brands exploit this loophole.
Awareness	Many rural artisans lack knowledge about their rights or how to enforce them.
Enforcement	Policing unauthorized use is difficult, especially online or abroad.
Commercialisation	GI tags don’t guarantee market success — lack of branding, e-commerce access, and supply chain bottlenecks persist.
Digital Piracy	Designs and crafts are copied digitally, bypassing GI protections.

---

 Case Studies: Cultural Misuse and Fightback

 Prada & Kolhapuri Chappals (2025)

Inspired design showcased with no credit to India — sparking debate on cultural misappropriation.

 Basmati Rice (1997)

Texas-based Ricetec attempted patent in the U.S. → India fought back, emphasizing its agro-cultural identity.

 Turmeric & Neem Patents (1995-2000)

Traditional medicinal uses patented in the West → Revoked after India proved prior knowledge.

 Lesson: Legal recognition of GIs must be paired with cultural diplomacy and global IP enforcement.

---

Way Forward: From Tag to Transformation

Reform Area	Strategy
Legal

• Seek mutual recognition treaties under FTAs and trade negotiations.
• Push for global GI registry under WIPO.

Digital Infrastructure |

• Create a Digital GI Database and Traditional Knowledge Index.
• Use AI to detect infringements on e-commerce platforms.

Community Capacity Building |

• Training programs for artisans and farmers on GI benefits and usage.
• Promote producer cooperatives to own and manage GIs collectively.

Branding & Marketing |

• GI promotion via e-commerce platforms, India GI festivals, and global expos.
• Develop GI tourism circuits (like Kanchipuram → Silk Heritage Trail).

Enforcement & Diplomacy |

• Use economic diplomacy to protect GIs in bilateral disputes.
• Set up legal aid cells to help communities fight infringement abroad.

---

 UPSC Mains Question (GS-III / GS-II)

Q. Discuss the significance of Geographical Indications (GIs) in protecting India’s traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. Analyse the socio-economic challenges in their implementation and suggest the way forward.

---

 Final Word from Suryavanshi IAS

“A GI tag is not just a certificate.
It’s a recognition of history, a shield of dignity, and a promise of prosperity to forgotten hands.”

As an aspirant, remember:

• GI is where policy meets the people.
• It’s where law meets livelihood, and
• Where UPSC ethics meets real-world injustice.