By S&S Co. Advocates & Solicitors · Published 29 September 2026 · Informational content, not legal advice: see our disclaimer
What a Geographical Indication Actually Protects
A geographical indication identifies goods as originating from a specific region where a given quality, reputation or characteristic is essentially attributable to that geographical origin. Registration under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 protects that association, not the underlying product category itself, which remains open to anyone making a genuinely different product without the GI's distinctive geographic pedigree.
Who Can Use a Registered GI
Unlike a trademark, a GI is not owned by a single proprietor. It is typically registered by an association, producer group or authority representing producers within the defined geographic area, and individual producers must separately register as 'authorised users' under Section 17 to lawfully use the GI in trade.
What Counts as Infringement
Infringement under Section 22 of the GI Act includes using a false or misleading indication of origin, using a registered GI on goods not originating in the specified place, or any use that constitutes unfair competition, even where the actual geographic origin is indicated alongside the GI in a manner likely to mislead the public. For a GI recognised as having special reputation, even use on genuinely different goods that dilutes or unfairly exploits that reputation can be actionable.
Enforcement in Practice
Enforcement typically combines administrative and civil routes. Registered proprietors and authorised users can seek injunctions and damages through the commercial courts, and border enforcement through customs recordation can help intercept infringing imports or exports. Because non-compliant use by non-authorised local producers is a common issue, GI associations should maintain active authorised-user registration processes and monitor the market for both counterfeit and non-compliant genuine-region use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any producer in the region automatically use a registered GI?
No. Individual producers within the geographic area generally need to separately register as authorised users under Section 17 of the GI Act to lawfully use the registered geographical indication in trade.
Does GI registration stop other regions from making a similar product?
It stops other regions from using the specific registered name and its protected reputation, but it does not prevent producers elsewhere from making a similar type of product under a different, non-infringing name.
What if a local producer makes the goods correctly but isn't a registered authorised user?
Using the registered GI without authorised-user registration can still constitute infringement, even if the goods are otherwise made in the region, since GI rights are tied to registration and authorisation, not geography alone.
Can customs help stop counterfeit GI-labelled imports?
Yes. GI proprietors and authorised users can record their rights with customs authorities under the IP Rights (Imported Goods) Enforcement Rules, enabling border seizure of suspected infringing consignments.
References & Further Reading
This article references the following statutory provisions. Readers should always verify current rules, fees and timelines against the applicable statute and rules as amended, since these are revised from time to time.
- Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, Sections 17 (authorised users) and 22 (infringement).