Geographical
Indication (GI) is the newest addition to
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and defined as
Indications, which identify a good as originating in
the territory of a member country, or a region or
locality in that territory, where a given quality,
reputation or other characteristics of a good is
essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
In other words, some geographical regions acquire a
reputation for origin of a product with some
specific quality and uniqueness. It is the quality
or reputation that distinguishes the product from
others all over the world. When a geographical
Indication acquires such reputation, there may be
attempts by others to utilise it for their known
advantage. Such action by others harms both
innovator and consumers of the products. The
original producer looses a part of the market share
of his product and the consumer gets counterfeit
goods without original quality and uniqueness.
Keeping these aspects in mind, geographical
Indications are included as an important part of
Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
agreement, 1994.
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