Geographical Indication Registry Showers GI Certifications

By Nitika Sinha and Hashmeeta Sehgal

On March 31, 2023, Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai awarded certification to more than 30 Geographical Indication (herein after referred to as “GI”) tags. For a general understanding, a GI tag represents a geographical indication and indicates the source of the product and provides legal protection to the products and prevents unauthorized use of a GI tag product by others.

Amongst the many certifications, the famous “BANARSI PAAN” which has been mentioned various historical books, articles, gazetteers and in the popular song of a hindi movie– ‘Khaike Pan Banaraswala” and “BANARAS LANGDA AAM (MANGO)”of Banaras have also been given the GI certification. Furthermore, ten products that received GI certification are from the state of Uttar Pradesh. Details of few of the famous GI tags which have been awarded certifications on March 31, 2023 are mentioned below:

S No.	GI Tag	Applicant Name	Particulars
1.	KARI ISHAD MANGO ; Class 31	Matha Totagars Farmer Producer Company Limited	· It is a well-known verity from Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. · It is accepted as one of the finest quality mangos due to its unique aroma, luscious taste, high amount of pulp, shape, and size. · Locally it is pronounced as ‘Kari Ishada’. · It is known for its pulp and people consider it for making pulp-base recipes like ‘Rasayana’.
2.	LADAKH SHINGSKOS (WOODCARVING)	Timber Trader Union	· As the name suggest the they have been developed by the wood cravers of Ladakh region from traditional tools. · Their various designs include Lotus, dragon or cobra-shape design, Designs of birds and animals, such as, nightingale, stag , Fruits and trace designs, Chinar and grape leaf designs Flower designs, such as rose, lotus, lily, iris, Making different types of statue, figures of animals to name a few.
3.	RAMNAGAR BHANTA (BRINJAL)	Kashi Vishwanath Farmer Producer Company	· The Ramnagar Bhanta is very popular in Varanasi and surrounding area for its exclusive Chokha (Bharta) · It is famous for its taste, quality, smoothness and color, weight, size and has high nutritive value and rich in vitamins and minerals.
4.	BANARAS PAN (BETEL LEAF); class 31	1. Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, and 2. Namami Gange Farmer Producer Company Limited	· Banaras Pan plant is rich sources of various nutrients as well as ample amount of phytochemicals and antioxidants found in it. · The trading Centre of Banaras Pan at Varanasi is called Pan Mandi which known as Pan-Dariba, daily turnover is nearly 12 – 15 lakh rupees per day.
5.	BANARAS LANGDA AAM (MANGO) , class 31	Jaya Seeds Producer Company Limited	· It is also a very good source of vitamin-B6, vitamin-C and vitamin E · It is one of the leading commercial mango varieties of North India which is known for mildly flavored flesh and with a distinct pleasant taste, colour, quality and taste.
6.	SHOLAVANDAN VETRILAI; Class 31	1. Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board and 2. Vetri Kodikaal Vivasayigal Sangam	· The well-known Tamil phrase “Thenur vethalai, Manoor sunnaambu” (Betel leaf from Thenur, Lime from Manoor) indicates the popularity of betel leaf grown in Thenu, Tamil Nadu. · It is famous for its taste, aroma, low pungency of the leaves is preferred by the people for paan and more health benefits.
7.	ADAMCHINI CHAWAL; class 31	Ishani Agro Producer Company Limited	· Adamchini is known for its taste in Eastern Uttar Pradesh  which is cultivated in Chandauli, Varanasi and Vindhya region. ·  It is known for its draught tolerance, disease resistance, strong aroma, softness, good taste and smell.
8.	ALIGARH TALA; class 06	Tala Nagari Audyogik Vikas Association	· Aligarh is known as’Tala Nagari or city of Lock’ · The base material of these handmade locks is brass. · The craftsman makes about 30 to 40 locks in a day. The keys are also handmade, as are the sand casted levers in the locks.
9.	GWALIOR HANDMADE CARPET; class 27	1. Sant Ravidas Madhya Pradesh Hastashilp Evam Hathkargha Vikas Nigam Limited and 2. Carpet Development Society	· Carpet-weaving is an old craft and famous craft of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh · The work on the carpets consist of motifs and designs which are inspired with natural beauty and nature as such bird, pet animals, wild animals like – elephant, peacock, forest scenery, etc
10.	PASHMINA WOOL OF LADAKH; class 22		· Pashmina is derived from the domestic goat known as caprahircus, which is native to Asia and is known as one of the finest natural undercoat fibres. · Guinness Book of World Records has accredited the garments of Pashmina wool with the reputation of being the costliest cloth in the world.

 

Various other products which have received GI Certifications are mentioned below:

Geographical indications are usually used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, wine and spirit drinks, and industrial products. There are 4 ways to protect a geographical indication: (1) through national laws and regulations, (2) through international treaties, (3) through collective or certification marks, and (4) through sui generis systems.

The main pre-requisite of achieving a Geographical Indication tag is that both the product and its quality must be unique to that specific region. The GI registration confers legal protection to the products and prevents unauthorized use of a GI tag product by others. It provides a right over the sign that constitutes the indication and does not specifically provides a right to the owner of the GI to prevent someone else from making the product by incorporating the same procedure or techniques as set out in the standards for that specific indication. If someone is making a GI certified product with the same procedure or techniques, they can apply as an Authorized User of the GI with the Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai.

The benefits of having a Geographical Indication (GI) tag are numerous, some of which are mentioned below :

• Firstly, it provides legal protection to the products and prevents unauthorized use of a GI tag product by others. This ensures that the product is authentic and of high quality, which helps consumers to get the quality products of desired traits and be assured of the authenticity.
• Secondly, it promotes economic prosperity of producers of GI tagged goods by increasing their demand in both national and international markets. The promotion and marketing of the products having GI tags enhances the secondary economic activities in that region, which in turn boosts the regional economy.
• Thirdly, it preserves the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of a region.
• Fourthly, it promotes rural development by creating employment opportunities.

However, there are some challenges associated with the GI system, such as the rush to obtain as many GI tags as possible without enhancing the value of products already having a GI tag, which undercuts the very idea of GI protection to native and endemic products. Overall, the GI system plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting the unique products of a region and ensuring their authenticity and quality.

For further assistance regarding Geographical Indication, you may contact us trademarks@ssrana.com.

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