Bangalore: The Geographical Indications Registry has granted GI certificate to Bidriware from Bidar, Channapatna toys and dolls, Nanjangud banana, Coorg orange, Mysore betel leaf, Mysore rosewood inlay, Mysore traditional paintings and Mysore agarbathi, thereby enabling producers and inventors to prevent others from exploiting their products without permission.

"We have accorded certificates to these items/products. The certificate owners will be the registered proprietors of the GI concerned," an official with the Geographical Indications Registry told The Hindu. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks attached to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry also acts as the Registrar of GI.

The Geographical Indications Registry has accorded GI certificate to the world famous Mysore silk, thus preventing its unauthorised use by others.

India, being a signatory to World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), requires protection for its products originated with specific quality and geographical origin under GI so that the producers of other countries do not corner the benefits arising out of the unique products.

GI's, the latest addition to Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), is defined as indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member-country or a region or locality in that territory where a given quality, reputation and other characteristics of it are essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

According to IPRs, producers/inventors can claim protection for their items in other WTO-member countries only if they are protected in the country of origin. According to law, individuals cannot hold GI certificates. "Only an association of producers or an authority established under law can apply for GI registration. It is a collective monopoly right and not an individual right," the official said.

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