In a innovative initiative, IIT-Kharagpur has announced it's new project in helping various communities of the nation to get Geographical Indication (GI) tags and broad-base the market of their products.
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. The main aim of this project is to protect indigenous art forms and commercial products restricted to a particular area like the 'Kangri' of Kashmir etc.
As the project was announced, Director of IIT Kharagpur, P P Chakrabarti said, "in the next three to five years, they will identify 100 such products all over the country and help the community get the GI tag. To begin with, the Intellectual Property cell of the institute has recently taken up activities to facilitate the process of filing of GI for 'Goyna Bori', the fine art of using lentil paste mix to create exquisite designs, distinct in West Bengal's Midnapore."
During this, he also discussed about various other things like kangri of Kashmir, he said, "Besides sweets from the state, the IIT has also planned to file GI for Kangri, a basket that is traditionally used by the people of Kashmir to keep themselves warm by keeping burning charcoals in it. We have spoken to the patent office that as an institution we want to file GIs. The communities will get the rights. After that we will help them build an economy around it."
Once these communities get the GI tag they will only have the right to that brand, this will in turn be of a great help in development and world wide recognition of these goods and the communities who produce these goods. Brainbuxa will keep you posted on such news across the nation. For more, take a halt at Brainbuxa.
Tags: Geographical Indication
World Trade Organization
Iit
Kharagpur
Crafts
Gi Tags
