Protection Of GI TAG

Approaches that have been adopted to protect Geographical Indication tags around the world:

• Focus on business practices, consisting of administrative product approval schemes.
• Usage of certification marks
• Special regimes of protection (sui generis systems)

In terms of geographical indication, India has established a system that is unique. The Geographical Indications Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002, mandate the structure, which is operationalized by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The term 'Geographical Indication' is defined in Section 2(e) of the Rules.

A GI tag may be applied for by any producer, whether an individual, a group of people, an organization, or a legal entity. The application must be submitted to the appropriate authorities in the proper format and with the correct fee.

A Geographical Indication tag is only valid for ten years, but it can be renewed for another ten years each time it is renewed. According to the Indian government, approximately 432 Geographical Indications tags have been assigned to various goods.