In an era where intellectual property strategy increasingly determines competitive advantage, Geographical Indications and Sustainable Regional Development have emerged as a powerful yet underleveraged intersection of law, economics, and public policy. For decision makers, judges, policymakers, and industry leaders, Geographical Indications are no longer niche cultural markers. They are economic infrastructure. They are instruments capable of shaping rural resilience, export competitiveness, and inclusive growth.
Across jurisdictions, including Geographical Indications in India, we are witnessing a renewed interest in origin-linked protection systems. Yet, despite this momentum, GIs remain undervalued when compared to patents and trademarks. When properly structured, enforced, and commercialised, GIs offer a sophisticated framework for value creation rooted in place, tradition, and collective identity.
