GI PROTECTION FOR INDIAN SPICES

PRESENTATION BY: Mr. GK MUTHUKUMAAR, ANAND AND ANAND, ADVOCATES, ON BEHALF OF SPICES BOARD

SPICES BOARD

A Commodity Board and Agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Sugandha Bhavan, N.H. Bye-Pass, P.B. No.2277, Palarivattom, Cochin-25.

SPICES BOARDA statutory board constituted under the Spices Board, Act, 1986,

For the main purpose of development of spices and for control of the spice industry in the country and control of spice cultivation

Legal registration of owners of spice estates, returns to be made by registered owners, grant of certificate for purpose of export, control of price, distribution of spices etc.,It is a legal entity entitled to represent the interest of the spice cultivators, inland trade and export from India

LEGAL COMPETANCE OF SPICES BOARD

Applicant is a legal entity established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. Of India

Formed to monitor & develop Spice Trade

To regulate & encourage export of quality spices

Certifying Authority Quality Control

Represents the interest of the cultivators/ producers of SPICES

GI AS A BRAND BUILDING TOOLGI are trademarks but with a different legal conception

Function of GIs is similar to trademarks except that they point to the place of origin and not to the owner of the goods

On other legal aspects such as assignment, they differ from trademarks

GI registration is only the first step towards capitalising on your GI

It should be followed by brand promotion/ awareness creation and commercial exploitation

CASE STUDY Alleppey Green Cardamom

Nature of GI- a word mark

Conveys/ suggests that the geographical origin of ALLEPPEY GREEN CARDAMOM is;

Idukki, Palghat, Wynad & Trivandrum Districts in the State of Kerala, India &

Tiruvelveli, Dindugul, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Theni Districts of Tamil Nadu, India

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF PRODUCTION

Latituds : 12 to 16 NLongitudes: 74 to 77 ELatitudes : 80 to 120 NLongitudes: 740 to 770E

CARDAMOM CULTIVATION

Area :73,795 ha

Production (2006-07):12540 MT

Productivity :227Kg/ ha

ORIGINPre-Historic Times

3000 BC - Later Vedic Period Taitreya Samhita

1400-600 BC Charaka Samhita3rd Century Arthashastra (Sanskrit Text)4th Century Spice Encyclopeida15, to 20th Writings

DESCRIPTION OF GOODS Plant is perennial and belongs to; Family Zingiberaceae, Order Scitaminae,Genus Elettaria, (6 species)Species Cardamomom Variety- Mysore Variety

True Cardamom and of economic importanceCardamom is the unripe fruit of the said plant

UNIQUNESS-Natural & Human Factors

NATURAL FACTORSGeographic factors (topography, soil, & climate) Colour & SizeChemical Constituents andOil Content Use

UNIQUENESS contd.,HUMAN FACTORS

Competence

Skill & Efficient Labour

Zeal

UNIQUENESS contd.Dried CapsuleGreen in Colour (retention of Chlorophyll),Diameter 7mm (hold more oil)Weight 435G/LMinimum Black SplitsImmature, Shrivelled & malformed CapsuleThree CorneredRibbed Appearance

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION - appelley green cardamom

USESpiceFood Additive &Culinary useCarminative, stomachicAnti microbial/ anti fungal medicationDermatological disroders (Pyrosis)Checks nqusea, vomitting, improves eyesight, strengthens nervous systemCardiac Stimulant, gastropatyhy, vathaAntidote for food poisoningChewing prevents bad smell of the mouth

PRODUCTION 1 (pg11 & 12)LocationAgro Climatic FactorsSunshine, rainfall, water, humidity & soil conditions/ constituentsPreparation of landSowing (south-west monsoon)GerminationGrowth & Maturity

PRODUCTION 2 Harvest Light & Hard Picking

Post harvesting measuresWashingCuring Artificial Drying by Kiln DryingProper Packing for proper protectionGrading (colour, size, wt, and Che Const)Grades- Extra Bold, Bold, Superior, Coorg green or Mota green, Shipment & Light

HUMAN ELEMENT

HUMAN SKILL

HUMAN LABOUR

QUALITY CONTROL by Spice BoardAdulterationIncessant and Irrational useMisuseProtect true place of origin/ Genuine CultivatorsMaintaining quality of the productIncrease revenue to cultivators

EXPORTS Cardamom and other spices account for about a quarter of the world tradeForms 85% of the total cardamom export from India, aw Coorg Green Cardamom2005-06 875MT exported from IndiaRevenue Rs.27 CroresExported to USA, UK, Japan, Canada, Middle East and Other Countries

NECESSITY OF GI REGISTRATIONTo enable protection/ enables infringement action

Prevents dilution, loss of reputation and goodwill

Enables efficient management and use of the GI by statutory protection,

Forms a foundation for promotion and commercial exploitation

Protects consumers from deception

Brand promotion

Protects brand equity

BRAND PROMOTIONCreating awareness camps, awareness programs, exhibitions, fairs, contests, advertisements in prints & electronic media

Write ups, articles highlighting the need to use GI branded goods

Strategic partnerships/ JVs to market GI branded goods

Guatemala, El.SalvadorHonduras, NicaraguaCostaricaTanzania India, Srilanka VietnamLavosThailandPapua New Giinea

CASCADING EFFECTS of GI registrationIncrease market demandIncrease profits inland trade and exportsQuality controlEliminates competition from fake & spurious goodsPromotes economic development of owner and the nation

THANKING YOU ANAND AND ANAND chennaianandandanand@yahoo.co.in