Geographical Indication Tag

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in the News?
• About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
• Benefits of GI Tagging
• News Summary

Why in News?

• Seven products from Odisha, ranging from the Similipal Kai chutney made with red weaver ants to the embroidered Kapdaganda shawl, have bagged the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in recognition of their exclusivity to the state.
• In total, 17 products from different states have been allocated the GI tag, recently.

About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

• A geographical indication or GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• Geographical Indications are part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Some of the famous products that have received GI tags include Darjeeling Tea, Kancheepuram Silk, Basmati Rice, and Pashmina Shawls.
• Validity:
  • Once a product has been granted a GI tag, it is valid for a period of ten years.
  • However, it can be renewed for another ten years.
  • During the period when the GI tag is valid, no one else can use the tag for a product that is not produced in the specific geographical region.
  • This helps in protecting the interests of the original producers and prevents others from using the tag for their products.

Benefits of GI Tagging

• There are many benefits of having a GI tag for a product.
• Firstly, it helps in identifying the original products that come from a specific geographical region.
  • This helps in promoting the products and increasing their demand.
• Secondly, it helps in protecting the interests of the original producers by preventing others from using the GI tag for their products.
  • This helps in maintaining the quality and authenticity of the products.
• Thirdly, it helps in promoting the traditional skills and knowledge that are associated with the production of the product.
  • This helps in preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

News Summary

• Seven products from Odisha have received the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in recognition of their exclusivity to the state.
• Following are the brief details about the seven products:
  • Kapdaganda shawl:
    • Woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria Kondh tribe the shawl reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs.
    • Dongaria Kondh is a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills.
  • Lanjia Saura Painting:
    • The painting, one of the oldest tribal art forms, is also known as Idital.
    • The artworks are famous for their beauty, aesthetics, ritualistic association and iconography.
    • The art form belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG largely residing in the Rayagada district.
  • Koraput Kala Jeera Rice:
    • The black-coloured rice variety, also known as the ‘Prince of Rice’, is famous for its aroma, taste, texture and nutritional value.
    • Tribal farmers of the Koraput region have preserved the rice variety for around 1,000 years.
  • Similipal Kai chutney:
    • The chutney made with red weaver ants is a traditional delicacy of the tribals in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
    • The ants are found in the forests of Mayurbhanj, including in the Similipal forests – Asia’s second-largest biosphere.
  • Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal:
    • NayagarhKanteimundi Brinjal is known for its prickly thorns on the stems and the whole plant.
    • The plants are resistant to major insects and can be grown with minimal pesticide.
  • Odisha Khajuri Guda:
    • Odisha’s “Khajuri Guda” or jaggery is a natural sweetener extracted from date palm trees and has its origin in the Gajapati district.
    • Traditionally, the jaggery is prepared in a trapezoidal form called ‘Patali Gur’ and is organic by nature.
  • Dhenkanal Magji:
    • Dhenkanal Magji is a type of sweet made from cheese from buffalo milk, with distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, taste, flavour, shape, and size.
    • It also has unique nutritional values that distinguish it from other cheese-based sweets.

Q1) What is the objective of the World Intellectual Property Organisation?

WIPO’s two main objectives are (i) to promote the protection of intellectual property worldwide; and (ii) to ensure administrative cooperation among the intellectual property Unions established by the treaties that WIPO administers.

Q2) What is the difference between Copyright & Trademark?

A trademark protects a brand, name, logo, shape or slogan used to sell products and services. A copyright protects original creative expressions such as artistic, literary, and dramatic works. A mark is used to identify the brand of a product, good or service.

Source: From red ant chutney to black rice, the 7 Odisha products that have bagged GI tags | Hindu

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