GI Tags for Crafts

How geographical indication tags protect crafts like Kanchipuram silk, Pashmina and Channapatna toys, and whether GI tags actually raise artisans' incomes.

A geographical indication (GI) tag links a product to a place.

Law

India’s Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999 took effect in 2003.

First GI

Darjeeling tea was India’s first GI tag in 2004.

Craft examples

Kanchipuram silk sarees.
Kashmir Pashmina.
Channapatna toys.
Bhadohi carpets.

Benefits

Protects against fakes.
Builds brand value.

Limits

Many artisans don’t know about or use GI tags.
Enforcement against fakes is weak.

Economics

GI works best with marketing and quality control.

The fake saree

A buyer pays for a Kanchipuram silk saree but gets a power-loom copy; GI tags aim to stop this.

Thinking GI tags automatically raise incomes

They need marketing and enforcement.

Key takeaways

The GI Act took effect in 2003.
Darjeeling tea was the first GI in 2004.
GI protects crafts like Kanchipuram silk.
Enforcement is weak.