The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999

The government of India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act on December 30, 1999. It came into effect on September 15, 2003.The Act provides for the registration and protection of goods with ‘geographical indications’ (GIs) as well as their authorised users. A GI registration identifies agricultural, natural or manufactured goods as originating or produced in a specific region, where the quality, reputation or other characteristics of such goods is attributed to its geographical origin. Examples of India’s GI products are Alleppey coir, Basmati rice, Banarasi brocade and sarees, and Kancheepuram silk.The 27-page law aims to prevent unauthorised persons from producing GI-registered items and protect buyers from fraud. The Act applies across India.