‘It is decreed that no wine merchant can mix two wines together. Disregarding this law can entail a loss of wine and a ­fine’, and with these words a certain king of France in 1351 gave birth to what we now know as geographical indications (GIs). From the aromatic Basmati rice to the rich taste of Darjeeling tea in India and from the sparkling white wine of Champagne to the blue cheese of Roquefort in France, all locale-specific products are protected by GIs. The book compares the case of India with that of France where GIs originated and investigates how India has successfully extended its GIs to handicrafts while France and Europe still remain con­fined to foodstuff. It is a significant study in light of the increased Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and World Trade Organization regime.

A must-have for producers, practitioners, lawyers, policy makers, researchers, academics and students of law.

I: GLOBALIZATION, GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS AND THE ‘INDIAN IDENTITY'
India and Globalization, Opportunities and Risks An Analysis of the Diversity of Legal Concepts Underlying GIs GIs on Handicraft Goods in India Compared to France/Europe Indian GIs for Agricultural Goods? Uniqueness Justified by Natural and Historical Factors
II : THE PECULIARITIES OF THE ROLE OF THE STATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF GIS IN INDIA, COMPARED TO FRANCE AND EUROPE
The Influence of WTO on the Role of the State in the International Protection of GIs The Decline of the Role of the State in France and Europe The Interventionism of the Indian State The Legitimacy of the Involvement of the Indian State
III : AN ESSAY ON THE PARTICULARISM OF GIS AS INTELLECTUAL RIGHT
An Intellectual Right Characterized by the Dismemberment of the Right to Use A Collective Right to Use Tinted with Public Law General Conclusion