Introduction
Shahi Litchi of Bihar, Mysore Silk, Coorg Orange, Kashmiri
Pashmina, Mizo Chilli among many others have one thing in common
i.e. their quality, production and reputation is firmly attached to
a particular geographical location. Property Rights are granted to
products of such nature due to the fact that they are produced in a
specific region because of either unique natural factors or the
nature of skills required. Such a protection is mostly granted for
Agro-based Products, Foodstuffs, Beverages & Handicrafts. In
India, such a protection is granted under the Geographical
Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Geographical Indications have been defined under Article 22 of
the TRIPS Agreement as, 'indications which identify a good
as originating in the territory of a Member, or a region or
locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or
other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to
