What is the process of GI Registration in India?

Process of GI Registration in India:

Any person, producer, organization, association, or authority representing the interests of the producers of the concerned goods may apply to the Registrar of Geographical Indications for the registration of GI. Every application must be submitted in the prescribed format.

GI - 1A to ID and must be signed in triplicate by the applicant, along with three copies of the Statement of Case and the prescribed fee. The applicant must specify the producers' interest in the goods to be registered.

An expert group will first review the application to look for any flaws or objections. If an objection is raised, an appeal may be filed, and the applicant must respond to a public hearing within two months. If accepted, the application will be published in the Geographical Indication Journal within three months. If there is any opposition, the opponent must file a notice within the prescribed period opposing the product's application when it was published in a journal.

The applicant must defend the same by counteracting within two months of the opponent's communication time, with the necessary counter statement. If a counter-statement is filed, both parties (defender and opponent) will present their evidence during the hearing via affidavit and supporting documents. If there is no counter-statement, the applicant's application will be considered for GI acceptance by the Registrar from the date of filing, and a certificate with the Geographical Indication Registry seal will be issued.

A GI's registration is valid for ten years. If the applicant wants to renew it, he or she can do so for another ten years. If it is not, it will almost certainly be removed from the GI register.