WTO, TRIPS, and Geographical Indications (GIs)

The research papers authored by experts deal with the socio-economic aspects of intellectual property rights protection through geographical indications (GIs) and delve into the legal aspects related to registration of products in the Indian context. Beginning with the meaning of IPRs, nature of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and significance of GIs in the domain of IPRs, they examine aspects relating to GIs like the scope and application of GI in India as a tool for socio-economic development and building of brands through GIs. They present case studies of GIs in India like Sambalpuri sarees and Banaras brocades and sarees and throw light on how the GIs are viewed by the Indian Competition Act, 2002. They also identify some lesser-known goods as GIs in the states of India, emphasising on spreading knowledge about the products and dispersing the knowledge to probable domestic and international consumers.