Trade: Under FTA, New Zealand to allow GI registration for Indian goods

Virendra Pandit

New Delhi: A day after announcing the conclusion of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, New Zealand said it will allow a GI registration for Indian goods, the media reported on Tuesday.

New Zealand has taken a binding commitment under its FTA with India to amend its laws within 18 months of the pact’s implementation to facilitate the geographical indication (GI) registration of Indian goods besides wines, and spirits in the island nation.

The existing GI law of New Zealand only allows India’s wines and spirits to be registered.

A GI, a type of an intellectual property right, is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a specific geographical territory.

Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

Once a product gets a GI tag, no person or company can sell a similar item under that name. Its other benefits include legal protection to that item, prevention against unauthorized use by others, and promoting exports.

“Commitment is now in place to take all steps necessary, including amendment of its law, to facilitate the registration of India’s wines, spirits and ‘other goods’, a benefit that was accorded to the EU (European Union) by New Zealand.

“Timelines for this are 18 months from agreement entering into force,” the Union Commerce Ministry said.

The two countries on Monday announced the conclusion of the FTA negotiations. The pact is likely to be implemented after the signing of the document. The process may take about 7-8 months from now.

India’s famous goods carrying the GI tag include Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea, Chanderi Fabric, Mysore Silk, Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Thanjavur Paintings, Allahabad Surkha, Farrukhabad Prints, Lucknow Zardozi and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving.

Founder and Chairman of Great Mission Group Society (GMGS) Ganesh Hingmire said that this is a positive move as it would help boost exports of GI products.

“Getting a GI tag for non-agricultural goods will help increase the income of our people also,” he said.