Bangalore: Mysore sandalwood oil, Mysore Sandal Soap and Kasuti embroidery have secured the Geographical Indications (GI) protection under the Indian Geographical Indications Registry.

The GI certificate safeguards the quality and originality of these products and prevents their unauthorised use by other countries or producers.

"The Geographical Indications Registry has granted GI certificates to Mysore sandalwood oil, Mysore Sandal Soap and Kasuti embroidery. The certificate owners will be the registered proprietors of the GIs concerned," a GI Registry official 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.

Karnataka holds the top position among States in terms of the number of goods and products that have secured GI certificates. Karnataka has 12 of the 27 GI certificates granted by the registry so far. They have been issued for Mysore silk, Mysore Agarbathi, Coorg Orange, Mysore Betel Leaf, Nanjangud banana, Bidriware, Channapatana toys, Mysore rosewood inlay and Mysore traditional paintings.

GIs form a key part of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) under the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to which India is a signatory.

The GI Registry has been set up for facilitating registration and protection of GI-related agricultural and industrial products/goods in India.

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