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Koraput Kalajeera Rice

Context
Recently, Koraput Kalajeera Rice,’ an aromatic rice, has got Geographical Indications status.

About Koraput Kalajeera Rice

• Traditional Rice: Kalajeera rice is a traditional aromatic variety of rice that has been domesticated by the farmers of Koraput district in Odisha, India, over many generations.
• Nicknamed ‘Prince of Rice’: This variety of rice is often referred to as the ‘Prince of Rice’ due to its exceptional qualities.
• Ancient Conservation: The ancestors of the current tribal communities in Koraput have cultivated Kalajeera rice in the region for thousands of years, contributing significantly to the conservation of this crop.
• Aromatic Appeal: Kalajeera rice is renowned for its unique features, including its black color, delightful aroma, taste, and texture, making it popular among rice consumers.
• Health Benefits: According to ancient texts, Kalajeera rice is associated with several health benefits. It is believed to enhance memory, regulate diabetes, increase hemoglobin levels, and boost metabolism. Additionally, it possesses various medicinal properties, including being antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent, and sedative.
• Cultivation: This fragrant rice variety is primarily grown in specific areas of Koraput district, including Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda, and Mohuli.

Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

• Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
• They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
• GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

Administration and Registration

• Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.

Significance and Examples

• GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
• The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
• Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.

Ownership and Proprietorship

• Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
• The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
• Protection and Enforcement:
• Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
• Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.

Location of the Geographical Indications Registry

• The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.

C-TAP Initiative

Context
Recently, the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) has announced three new licensing agreements acquired through the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP).

About C-TAP Initiative

• Launch: C-TAP (COVID-19 Technology Access Pool) was launched in May 2020 in collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Costa Rica. It has garnered support from 44 Member States, UN Development Programme, Unitaid, UNAIDS, and implementing partners such as the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP).
• Principles: C-TAP operates based on the principles outlined in the Solidarity Call to Action.
• Objective: The initiative serves as a platform where developers of COVID-19 therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines, and other health products voluntarily share their intellectual property, knowledge, and data. This sharing is aimed at accelerating technological innovation and expanding global production capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)

• Description: The Medicines Patent Pool is a public health organization supported by the United Nations. Its primary objective is to increase access to life-saving medicines for countries with low- and middle-income populations.
• Approach: MPP employs an innovative business model and collaborates with various stakeholders, including civil society, governments, international organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, patient groups, and others. The organization prioritizes and licenses essential medicines and pools intellectual property to encourage generic manufacturing and the development of new medication formulations.