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geographical names have acquired a lot of
distinctiveness and importance in the Global
commercial market particularly with regard to the
goods associated with such geographical names. Most
commonly, a geographical indication consists of a name
of the place of the origin of the goods.
1.Agricultural goods,
natural goods or manufactured goods or any goods of
handicraft or goods of industry including food stuff,
generally bears the geographical indications to
attracts the attention of the consumers.
2. To prevent
unauthorized persons from misusing geographical
indications, the Government of India has passed
"The Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration and Protection)Act,1999".Hence the
protection under the said Act helps the consumers from
deception.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What
is a Geographical Indication?
A Geographical
Indication is a sign used on goods which have a
specific geographical origin and possess qualities or
a reputation that are due to the place of origin e.g.,
Scotch Whisky. But the place of origin may be village
or town or a region or a Country.
What is
the difference between Geographical Indication and a
Trade Mark?
A Trade Mark is a sign
used by commercial establishments to distinguish their
goods and services from those of other traders. But a
Geographical Indication tells consumer that a product
is produced in a certain place and has certain
characteristics that are due to that place of
production.
Why
does Geographical Indication need protection?
Geographical
Indications are understood by consumers to denote the
origin and the quality of products. Many of them have
acquired reputation and goodwill, which may be
misrepresented by dishonest traders. False use of
geographical indications by unauthorized traders, for
example "Darjeeling" for tea, which was not
grown in the Darjeeling area of Indian Territory, is
detrimental to consumers and legitimate products.
Hence geographical indication needs protection under
the Act.
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