Question : GEOGRAPHICAL LANDMARK REGISTRATION AND CONSERVATION ACT

(a) whether Geographical indications of Good (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 has been passed;

(b) whether it is helpful in registration and better conservation of Geographical Indications related to goods;

(c) whether small manufacturers have not been given Geographical Indications marks for registration;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether a period of 2 to 3 years is taken in this process;

(f) whether the Government proposes to reduce the time taken in registration; and

(g) the steps initiated to increase the number of offices for the registration of Geographical Indications marks?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)

(a)The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (48 of 1999) came into force from 15th September, 2003.

(b) The registration of geographical indication gives to the registered proprietor and the authorized user thereof the right to obtain relief in respect of infringement of the geographical indication and to the authorized user the exclusive right to the use of the geographical indication.

(c) & (d) Any association of persons or producers or any organization or authority established by or under any law for the time being in force representing the interest of the producers of the concerned goods, can apply for registration and the registration will be made if he fulfill other requirement of the Act. The Act does not make any distinction between small and large scale manufacturers.

(e) & (f) Time period for various stages of registration process are already prescribed in the Act and Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002.

(g)The Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai has been able to handle all applications received for registration and, at present, Government does not propose to set up more Registries.

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