India's Bid to Amend Geographical Indications Act: Seeking Public Input

The Indian government is planning to amend the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods Act, seeking input from the public and stakeholders. The proposed changes aim to enhance the protection and promotion of community intellectual property rights. Key recommendations include simplifying the registration process and creating a National GI Board.

The Indian government is preparing amendments to the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods Act and has issued a call for public and stakeholder feedback.

Comments and suggestions are welcome until October 10, as stated in a public notice by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

A GI denotes a product's origin from a specific geographical area, guaranteeing its quality and uniqueness. Notable GI products include Basmati rice and Darjeeling Tea. The proposed amendments aim to streamline the registration process and enhance the protection of these goods.

Experts stress the importance of these changes, citing the need for a National GI Board to better assist communities and enforce intellectual property rights. India's current 643 GI registrations lag behind the EU and China, but with the right amendments, the potential for over 10,000 GIs can be realized.

(With inputs from agencies.)