Which of the following Intellectual Property identifies agricultural, natural or manufactured products (handicrafts, industrial goods and food stuffs) originating from a definite geographical territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic are essentially attributable to its geographical origin?

Geographical Indication

The correct answer is option 4- Geographical Indication.

A Geographical Indication (GI) is primarily an indication which identifies agricultural, natural or manufactured products (handicrafts, industrial goods and food stuffs) originating from a definite geographical territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. GIs are part of our collective and intellectual heritage that need to be protected and promoted. Goods protected and registered as GI are categorised into agricultural products, natural, handicrafts, manufactured goods and food stuffs. Naga Mircha, Mizo Chilli, Shaphee Lanphee, Moirangphee and Chakhesang Shawl, Bastar Dhokra, Warli Paintings, Darjeeling Tea, Kangra Painting, Nagpur Orange, Banaras Brocades and Sarees, and Kashmir Pashmina are some of the examples of GIs. The importance of GIs has increasingly grown over the past few decades. GI represents collective goodwill of a geographical region, which has built itself over centuries. Today, consumers are paying more and more attention to the geographical origin of products and accord much care to the specific characteristics present in the products that they purchase. In some cases, there is a difference between “place of origin” and “geographical indications” which suggests to consumers, that the product will have a particular quality or characteristic, that they may value.

OTHER OPTIONS-

• Trademark-A trademark is any word, name, or symbol (or their combination) that lets us identify the goods made by an individual, company, organization, etc. Trademarks also let us differentiate the goods of one company from another. In a single brand or logo, trademarks can let you know many things about a company’s reputation, goodwill, products and services. A trademark helps in distinguishing similar products in the market from its competitors.

• Patent- A patent is a type of IPR which protects the scientific inventions (products and or process) which shows technical advancement over the already known products. A ‘patent’ is an exclusive right granted by the Government which provides the exclusive ‘right to exclude’ all others and prevent them from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing the invention.

• Copyright-Copyright is the right to “not copy”. It is offered when an original idea is expressed by the creator or author. It is a right conferred upon the creators of literary, artistic, musical, sound recording and cinematographic film.