Geographical Indications Act 2000

This Act makes provision in matter of protection of geographical indications related to, inter alia, natural or agricultural products. The Act is divided into the following Parts: (I) Preliminary; (II) Protection of Geographical Indications; (III) Administration; (IV) Registration of Geographical Indications; (V) Other Powers of the Registrar; (VI) Special Provisions; (VII) Miscellaneous. One Schedule, referring to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, is attached. In accordance with Section 3, protection shall be given to geographical indications of agricultural or natural products. Section 6 regulates proceedings for injunction and damages in respect of geographical indications. Such geographical indications shall be registered in the Register of Geographical Indications established and kept under Section 10 of this Act. Section 11 defines the persons who may apply for registration. Upon registration in accordance with these provisions, only producers carrying on their activity in the geographical area specified in the Register shall be entitled to use the registered geographical indication during trade (Section 21).