Geographical Indication Assumes Importance In Trade Talks

India and European Union have embarked on a bilateral trade & investment agreement, which envisages liberalization of trade in Goods, Investment & Service and higher protection for Intellectual Property Rights including Geographical Indications. The details of the agreement are being worked out.

The geographical indications as intellectual property rights have assumed importance in the negotiation of this bi-lateral trade and investment agreement as India is insisting on EU to extend the protection to non-food items as well under its domestic regulation protecting geographical indications. EU provides protection to mainly food items as GIs.

According to sources, European Union wants India to extend protection to hundred of its food items originating in the 27 member block. For India the list is diverse and includes food as well as handicraft items. India wants GI protection for a number of handicraft items like Kanjeevaram sarees, chikankari and kantha work, and bidr