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Geographical Indications

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.