Speakers at an event organised recently by Business Standard's Smart Business and World Trade Center (WTC), Bhubaneswar talked about the importance of geographical indications (GIs) for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). GIs are those tags that enable companies to authoritatively sell goods belonging to a particular area and having unique features such as 'Pattachitra' of Odisha.
Dr Anita Sabat, Managing Trustee of Odita Trust and Director, Sabat Exports, highlighted the need for correct information given for GI tag. She cited the instance of some sites showcasing particular sarees as 'Sambalpuri' while those were not. It is the responsibility of MSMEs to get these corrected because they know their products best, she said.
Pradeep Kumar Jain, Managing Partner at Singhania & Co.LLP, said MSMEs have limitations in terms of capital, manpower and marketing. When they come to sell products, they have a challenge to introduce the products to the world and then branding them. Here GI plays a very important role.
Bibhu Prasad Tripathy, Advocate in the Orissa High Court, highlighted the need of doing extensive research and studies before GI applications are filed before the authorities. The sign or symbol used for GI has to showcase links of the product with the original place of the product, he said. He said GI is different from trademarks, because the latter identifies goods to the companies, while the former identifies goods originated in a particular place.