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@article{187581,
        author = {Shudharshini E},
        title = {GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS OF MANUFACTURED GOODS - A STUDY OF DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {6},
        pages = {5168-5176},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=187581},
        abstract = {Geographical Indications (GIs) are traditionally associated with agricultural products, yet manufactured goods embody equally rich heritage, skill, and economic potential. Despite India having 697 registered GIs, only 22 relate to manufactured goods, revealing a structural imbalance in both law and practice. This paper critically examines the development of manufactured goods within India’s GI regime, exploring the legal, procedural, and socio-economic barriers that restrict their recognition. It evaluates the mandatory parameters of proof of origin, geographical linkage, uniqueness, reputation, and method of production, and argues that these standards intend to ensure authenticity, but they often disadvantage manufactured goods due to their complex production chains and dispersed knowledge systems.
Through analysis of registered and refused applications, including Coimbatore Wet Grinders, Nicobari Virgin Coconut Oil, and Rajapalayam Locks, the paper identifies recurring gaps in evidence, documentation, and institutional support. It also explores how weak post-registration enforcement and infringement mechanisms dilute the economic benefits that GIs are supposed to deliver, particularly for marginalized producer communities. By comparing TRIPS obligations with national implementation, the paper exposes regulatory asymmetry and the dominance of agricultural GIs in both policy and market visibility.
Ultimately, the study proposes a more inclusive and flexible framework for assessing manufactured goods, emphasizing process-based protection, traditional knowledge preservation, and stronger enforcement. It argues that empowering manufactured goods within the GI system is not merely a legal exercise but a pathway to cultural preservation, rural development, and equitable participation in global trade.},
        keywords = {Geographical Indications (GIs), Manufactured Goods, Traditional Knowledge, Post-Registration Support, Intellectual Property Rights, Regulatory Framework, Market Enforcement},
        month = {November},
        }