A Geographical Indication ties a product’s identity to the place it comes from, like Darjeeling tea, Banarasi sarees, or Nagpur oranges. It protects a community and a tradition rather than an individual inventor or company, under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. GIs sit at a fairly unique crossroads of IP law, rural livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
This section covers GI registration and opposition before the Geographical Indications Registry, enforcement against misuse of protected names, and the ongoing debates around who actually gets to speak for a GI-holding community. It’s written for artisan collectives, exporters, and anyone trying to understand how India protects its regional goods, both at home and internationally.
