GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

Darjeeling Tea, Banarasi sarees and Alphonso mangoes command a premium because their names certify an origin and the qualities that come with it. GI registration in India under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 reserves those names for authorised producers from the defined region. It preserves the price premium, guards consumers against false claims of origin and strengthens the product's standing in export markets. We act for producer associations, cooperatives and statutory authorities in securing GIs, registering authorised users and enforcing against misuse.

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Our GI Services

• Eligibility assessment of whether a product's quality, reputation or characteristics are attributable to its region.

• Statements of case documenting the product's history, geographical boundary, method of production and inspection structure.

• Ordinary, convention, single-class, multi-class and divisional applications before the GI Registry in Chennai.

• Representation before the Registrar and the Consultative Group, and responses to examination reports.

• Oppositions, both against conflicting applications and in defence of your own.

• Authorised user registrations and renewals.

• Enforcement against unauthorised use and misleading labelling, through civil and criminal remedies.

 

Our Approach

1. Establish the link to origin. Working with producers, historians and technical experts, we document how the product's quality, reputation or characteristics come from its region.

2. Define the boundary and the standard. The geographical area, method of production and inspection mechanism are set out precisely, since together they decide who may use the indication.

3. Prosecute before the Registry. Examination reports and Consultative Group queries are answered, and any opposition is managed through to registration.

4. Look after the GI once registered. Authorised users are registered and the market is monitored for misuse.

 

Why Choose Khurana & Khurana for GIs

• Statements of case built to persuade. A GI is won or lost on the quality of its documentation. Our submissions are detailed, well evidenced and anticipate the Consultative Group's concerns.

• Accessible to producer communities. We work closely with associations and authorities representing farmers, artisans and manufacturers, keeping a technical process within their reach.

• Enforcement capability. Our anti-counterfeiting team can act against goods falsely sold under a registered GI, including through the criminal remedies the GI Act provides.

 

Key Information

Who can apply for a GI

Applications can be made only by an association of persons, a producers' organisation, or an organisation or authority established by law that represents the interests of the producers. Producers may deal in agricultural goods, natural goods, or handicrafts and manufactured goods.

 

Types of GI application

• Ordinary: for a GI originating in India.

• Convention: for a GI from a convention country, with proof of protection in the home country.

• Single-class or multi-class: for goods in one class or several.

• Divisional: dividing an earlier application into separate classes.

 

From filing to registration

1. Preliminary scrutiny: deficiencies must be remedied within one month of the Registry's notice.

2. Consultative Group: the Registrar usually constitutes a group of up to seven experts to verify the statement of case.

3. Examination report: the applicant must respond, propose amendments or seek a hearing within two months.

4. Advertisement: accepted applications are published in the GI Journal.

5. Opposition: any person may oppose within three months of advertisement, extendable by up to one month. The applicant files a counter-statement within two months, each side then files evidence, and the matter is heard.

6. Registration and renewal: registration lasts ten years and can be renewed for further ten-year periods. Renewal can be requested up to six months before expiry.

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Represent producers of a regional product?

Tell us about the product and its region at info@khuranaandkhurana.com. We will assess whether it qualifies for a GI and what evidence you will need.