Imphal, June 13 2009: In order to prevent other regions or countries from producing imitation or similar products of a particular goods, be it agricultural produce or textiles or handicrafts or traditional products which have unique features because of geographical location or origin, as of a town, region or country, and thus save the producer community and artisans from having to face the risk of losing their traditional products and skills, such goods or products need to be registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registrations & Protection) Act 1999 .

This was emphasised by various experts in the field of Intellectual Property Right (IPR), traders and artisans, whose community based products had obtained GI registration, during a workshop on Geographical Indications held in the Ballroom of the Imperial Hotel, Janpath, New Delhi on Friday, June 12. The one-day workshop was organised by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) India Programme under the theme "Strategies and Preparedness for Trade and Globalisation in India" as a joint trade related capacity building project of Department For International Development (DFID), Government of UK and Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.

The workshop was a part of activities related to the World Trade Week, UK.

An exhibition of photographs and posters entitled "Celebrating Traditional Treasures" was also on display, which was inaugurated by Chris Chalmers, Deputy Head, DFID, India.

Deputy Project Co-ordinator and Officer in Charge, UNCTAD India Programme, Abhijit Das, in his welcome address, explained the need for the sections of people concerned, and specially the media persons to know Geographical Indications (GI).

He said, though GI is a kind of IPR, it is not connected with patent or trademarks.

Patent and trademarks are private monopolised intellectual rights, whereas GI registration is community based.

He said, the workshop was a part of media awareness campaigns UNCTAD India Programme has been taking up in order to disseminate awareness on GI, its importance and its benefits to the people through the media.

India has a variety of agro-climatic zones resulting in agricultural products with special qualities.

Moreover, households in various parts of the country, mainly in rural India, have developed expertise to manufacture textiles, handicrafts and other traditional products such as toys and dolls, which have unique features on account of local resources and special skills.

Some example, Abhijit cited, are Saris and brocades from Banaras, Shahi Litchi from Muzaffarpur, etc.

However, the producers of these products have not been able to get premium on the uniqueness of their products.

One of the reasons for this is that similar products are sold from other regions or countries, capitalising on the reputation of the unique products.

Therefore, one of the effective ways to protect the unique identity of a product is to obtain GI, if the product is suitable for it, with strong support of historical background.

The product should belong to a specific geographical location and it should have unique quality, reputation or other characteristics specially attributable to its geographical location.

Unlike other Intellectual Property Rights such as patent or trademarks, GI is community-based IPR, Abhijit Das said.

Other experts said, GI is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin such as a town, region or country.

Many experts spoke on various topics relating to GI.

Two films titled "The world in their hands" and "Creating futures empowering lives, GI India," each about 7 to 8 minutes long, were also screened during the workshop.

In the afternoon, a national conference on "Global Slowdown:Impact on India through International Trade" was also held.

Prof Sugata Marjit, Director, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences chaired the first session of the conference which discussed "Global Slowdown:Impact on India's Exports and Employment".

Dr Mathew Morris, Senior Economic Advisor, DFID India, British High Commission, New Delhi, and several other eminent economists spoke at the conference.

Prof Suresh Tendulkar, Chairman to Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council chaired the second session which focused on "Global Slowdown:Way forward on International Trade Issues".

Hueiyen Lanpao and Ereibak from Manipur took part in the workshop and national conference.

In Manipur also, there are quite a few products that need to get GI certificates, such as Wangkhei Phi, Moirang Phi and Saphi-Lanphi.

Agricultural produce such as certain paddy varieties, horticultural and floricultural produce which are available only in Manipur, and other food substances would need to be registered under GI, it is felt.

Authorities concerned are required to took into the matter in an exigent manner.

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