Challenges in the Utilization of GI Registration for Capitalizing GI Products

Abstract

Indian Geographical Indication (GI) registry has seen a rampant surge in GI registrations for the last two years.
However, academicians frequently raise the problem of post-registration GI regulation in India. Early research has
underscored the importance of generating GI awareness and quality control regulations. It is evident from the literature that
the Indian GI protection system is engulfed with several lacunae, starting from clarity of definition to having inspection
bodies. In the background of such remarks, this article talks about holistic GI governance. The primary requirement for
building GI governance starts with understanding the persistent core problems in this area. Hence, this article critically
evaluated the challenges existing in the GI framework and the measures taken by the government to overcome those
problems. The evaluation of the legal frameworks explored multiple suggestions for the authorities to amend the provisions
of the GI Act. The field observations provided that GI producers require handholding from production to commercialization.
The evaluation of NABARD and MSME schemes revealed that these bodies have taken significant initiatives in providing
marketing and promotion platforms for GI goods. Nevertheless, these authorities are missing out on giving GI goods
preferential treatment in their policy implementations. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for the preferential
treatment of potential GI goods for inclusive GI governance.