GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 was brought into force on September 15, 2003. It provides for inter alia:
· Establishment of a Geographical Indications Registry.
· Registration of geographical indications of goods in specified classes.
· Registration of authorised users of registered geographical indications and right to initiate infringement action either by a registered proprietor or an authorised user.
· Prohibition of registration of geographical indications as trade marks.
Maintenance of the Register of geographical indications in two parts-Part A containing all registered geographical indications and Part B containing particulars of registered users. such as 'genetic use restriction technology' and 'terminator technology'.
With the changes in the IPR regime in 2005, to make it WTO compliant, India has seen many folds increase in filling of patent applications for protection of intellectual property. While innovations are necessary, their legal protection is equally necessary and for this purpose, it is imperative that the legal requirements and the processes involved in such protection are clearly understood and followed. This requires the services of expert and legal practitioner, practising in this branch of law.