Special signs called Geographical Indications (GIs) identify products from a specific place, where those products have qualities or a reputation linked to that place. These qualities can be due to natural factors, like the climate or soil, or human factors, like traditional skills or methods. GI products can be agricultural products (like mangoes or basmati rice), traditional products (like handwoven carpets), or even industrial products (like surgical instruments).
Relevant Laws and Rules
Pakistan has a special law to protect GIs: the Geographical Indications (Registration & Protection) Act, 2020. This law also has specific rules, called the Geographical Indications (Registration & Protection) Rules, 2020.
Here are the four important players involved in the GI system in Pakistan:
The State:
To begin with, the government of Pakistan owns all GIs in the country.
Registrant:
Additionally, the government appoints a specific group to be the registrant for each GI product. The registrant is like a caretaker for the geographical indication. The role develops a detailed document (called a Book of Specification) explaining what makes the product special. It also registers the GI in Pakistan, applies for registration in other countries, approves authorized users of the GI logo, and enforces the GI rules.
Authorized Users:
Furthermore, these are the people who can actually use the GI logo on their products. This could be producers, processors, traders, or exporters – anyone involved in bringing the GI product to market. To become an authorized user, they need to be approved by the registrant and follow the guidelines in the Book of Specification.
Certification Body:
Lastly, the government can appoint a specific organization to check if GI products meet the standards set out in the Book of Specification. This is important for international trade.
Registration Process of a GI in Pakistan
There are two main steps to register a GI product in Pakistan:
Registering the GI product itself:
The registrant fills out a form and submits it, along with the Book of Specification, to a government office called the GI Registry. There is no fee for this, and anyone can oppose the registration.
Registering Authorized Users:
People who want to use the geographical indications in Pakistan logo on their products apply to the registrant. The registrant gives them the Book of Specification to review and asks them to confirm that their product meets the standards. If everything is okay, the registrant approves them as an authorized user. Then, they can apply to the GI Registry to officially become an authorized user. There is a small fee for this step.
Registration of Foreign Geographical Indications in Pakistan
A GI from another country can be registered in Pakistan if it is already registered in its home country. Pakistan considers the laws of the home country when deciding whether to accept the application.
Registration of Pakistani Geographical Indications in the Foreign Countries
The registrant is responsible for applying to register a Pakistani GI product in other countries. The process can vary depending on the other country’s GI system. There are two main ways to do this:
Apply directly in each country you’re interested in (this can mean a lot of applications!).
Become a member of a special international agreement on GIs (called the Lisbon Agreement). This allows you to file a single application that gets sent to all the member countries. Pakistan is currently in the process of joining this agreement.
Significance of Geographical Indications Registration
A GI is a way to show that a product has special qualities because of the place it comes from. It’s like a brand name for a whole region or country, not just one company. When you see a product with a GI logo, you know it’s something special and unique.
Conclusion
To conclude it, geographical Indications (GIs) are a valuable tool for producers, consumers, and countries alike. Consumers receive authentic products linked to a specific place through GIs, which reward producers for their skills and traditions.
For countries, GIs can boost exports, promote rural development, and create a strong national brand.
Pakistan’s GI system is still relatively new, but it has the potential to significantly benefit the country’s economy and cultural heritage. Registering and promoting Pakistani GIs domestically and internationally elevates Pakistan’s unique products to global recognition and value.
If you need assistance with understanding or utilizing GIs for your products or organization, please contact us. We can help you solve the process and unlock the potential benefits of GIs.