1st Edition
Geographical Indications of Indian Handlooms Between Legal Right and Real Right
This book presents a comprehensive analysis of Geographical Indications (GI) in the Indian context with particular reference to the handloom sector. It discusses themes such as the rationale of GI as IP (intellectual property); the domestic position on GIs; GI protection under various international instruments; handlooms from Gujarat and their GI journey; the efficacy of GIs; and GI structure for handlooms. The volume fills the gap between law and policies and recommends the implementation of an efficient legal system. It highlights the status of Indian handlooms, a sector that represents the country’s cultural heritage and supports a range of livelihoods. We examine India’s GI protection system with its diverse cultures and explore how GI can help recognize, support and promote these products to bring socio-economic benefits. The work documents policy measures undertaken for the revival, restructuring and promotion of Indian handlooms and handicrafts, and will serve as an important intervention in Indian law on GI.
An investigative study that evaluates the current law and policy on GI protection through detailed case studies and empirical research on select Indian handlooms, this book will be useful to scholars and researchers of geography, economics, development studies, sociology, law and public policy. It will also interest policymakers, legal practitioners, textile and handloom professionals, design and business administration institutes, media, arts and crafts museums and civil society organizations working on handlooms or in intellectual property.
Introduction: Geographical Indications of Indian Handlooms – The Gap between Legal Right and Real Right
1. Geographical Indications as Intellectual Property: Evolution and Rationale
2. Legal Recognition of Indian Handlooms: Recounting the Challenges Through Case Studies
3. Evaluating the Success of GI Status: Tangaliya and Kutch Shawls of Gujarat
4. Policies for Revival of Handloom Sector in India: Tapping the Lost Potential
5. Conclusions: Mapping the Road Ahead
Biography
Nidhi Buch is assistant professor of Law and Head, Centre for Intellectual Property Rights at Gujarat National Law University, India. She holds a Ph.D. in intellectual property (IP) laws from Gujarat National Law University. She also teaches and trains at institutions such as the Ahmedabad Management Association, various business schools and the State Judicial Academy. She has worked in the field of IP rights for nearly two decades, with her initial experience being as an IP consultant with National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Hetvi Trivedi is senior research assistant, GUJCOST-GNLU Centre of Excellence in IPR at the Gujarat National Law University, India. She researches on intellectual property rights, with a special interest in advancing the understanding of the merger between law and society through traditional knowledge and geographical indications. She holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Information Law from King’s College London, UK. She has previous experience in law practice and is interested in designing implementation strategies for research outcomes.
