The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide better protection to the goods which have become distinctive in terms of quality or uniqueness by virtue of it being available only from a particular geographical area.

This Act has being pending long time. The products like “Darjeeling Tea”, “Banarasi Sari” , “Coorg Coffee”, “Columbian Coffee”, Belgian Cigars”, Belgian Chocolates”, Mexican Tequila, “Scotch Whisky”, “Feta Cheese”, “Jamaican Rum”, “Champagne” “Indian Basmati Rice” etc. to name a few. All these products possess certain unique taste and/or qualities that originate from a particular geographical area which needs to be protected. There are many cases where the products produced or manufactured in one corner of the world are also sold as “so and so of a particular place”.

Such protections are available from many years in USA and European countries. Although it is very difficult to enforce the protection in every nook and corner of the world, France and Scotland have protected their geographical appellation rights for their most popular “Champagne Sparkling Wine” and “Scotch Whisky” from the Champagne District of France and Scotland respectively.

A beginning has now been made by India by the enacting this statute. Like Trademarks Act, 1999 and Designs Act, 1999 Rules under this Act is also not yet formulated and hence the effect has not yet been given to the Act.