LBEF RESEARCH JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Author(s):Surendra Raj Acharya

Abstract:This article, through management and legal perspectives, aims at exploring Geographic Indication and its possible economic prosperity in Nepal. Many perceive Intellectual property rights to be the rights in the form of Patent, Copyright, Design and Trademark only. However, traditional and indigenous knowledge (TIK) and geographical indications(GI) are also emerging in IPR. Geographical Indication is a sign used on products that have specific geographic origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to place of origin. Whereas, indigenous and traditional knowledge is a living body of knowledge that is developed, sustained and passed on from many generations within a community. In global arena from international liquor like Champagne, Scotch, Whisky, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Irish Whisky to Darjeeling Tea, Banarashi Sari are promoted through GI all across the world. The EU and its member states have a wide range of portfolio of over 10,000 protected GIs. Although GI is literally untapped in Nepal it has many significance like marketing tool, stimulation of consumer psychographic behavior, economic prosperity, protection of morale and economic rights of community. Research on Nepali products with reference to its commercial viability in global market and collection of indigenous and traditional knowledge must be done to secure such GI products from global infringement, which would eventually prosper Nepal.

Keywords:Intellectual Property Rights, World Intellectual Property Organization, Geographic Indication, Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Darjeeling Tea, Hedonic Pricing , Country of Origin, GI label.