Four new items gain GI status

Four new items– Yogurt from Bogura, Tulsimala
rice from Sherpur, Ashwina and Langra mangoes from Chapainawabganj– have
been recognized as Geographical Indicator (GI) products status.

Deputy Register (Deputy Secretary) of the Department of Patents, Designs and
Trademarks (DPDT) Md Jellur Rahman today confirmed that Bangladesh is now one
and only owner of the four products.

So far, Bangladesh has got the ownership of a total of 15 GI products. No
other country or individual in the world can claim the ownership of these
products.

Geographical Indication (GI) is a special name or symbol used for a material
which is determined by the geographical location or source (such as a
country, region or city) of a particular item.

Geographically recognized materials ensure certain quality standards or
specific manufacturing systems or specialties. The biggest advantage of GI
products is the branding of products in the global market, which puts GI
products ahead of any other equivalent product.

DPDT recognizes and certifies GI products under the Ministry of Industry in
accordance with the norms of the International Property Rights Organization
(WIPO).

In 2013, the Geographical Indication Products (Registration and Protection)
Act was enacted. In 2015, the DPDT called for the registration of GI products
after the formulation of the Act.

Mentionable, Jamdani saree was recognized as a GI product for the first time
in Bangladesh in 2016. (BSS)