Todays news reports that the Governments of UP and Rajasthan are considering obtaining GI certification for some of their crafts.
The Hindu carries this article in today edition about Rajasthan’s efforts to obtain GI registration for two ‘area-specific handloom products named after the townships of Sanganer and Bagru’. The move is aimed at “protect(ing) their products from fakes and power-loom clothing” and also to “help give an exclusive identity”.
And then the Business Standard today carries an article about the UP Government seeking ” exclusive rights over five of its most famous products” which happen to be “brassware of Moradabad, mango of Malihabad, glassware of Ferozabad, leather of Kanpur and chikankari products.”
Referring to the importance of branding the traditional crafts of the state, Jacob Thomas, principal secretary, UP Small Scale Industry and Export Promotion, said that these crafts are unmatched anywhere in the world, but require a strong marketing support.
I have written here about how out of the various way to promote cultural industries and foster dying traditions, GI protection is possibly the most facile option. Beginning with the Pochampally GI, state governments have been tripping over each other on their way to the GI registration office, without giving any serious thought to whether GIs actually promote these arts. GI’s are only as effective as the money you have available to throw at infringements. The kind of money required for infringement actions is enormous, and would benefit the community greatly if it were employed directly in their aid instead of chasing after copycats. (There are figures for the Darjeeling Tea Board’s expenses in my article linked above).
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