An application from Poland has recently been sent to the Geographic Indications (GI) Registry here for getting the GI certificate for the popular alcoholic beverage, vodka.
Officials said the GI tag for tequila, a Mexican drink, is likely to come into force from January 1, 2013. Some of the other spirits in the reckoning are: Jagartee from Austria, Brandy de Jerez from Spain and Ouzo from Greece. Germany and have applied for the tagging for a number of wines, including Chianti, Barolo and Barbaresco. Also in the list are several cheese varieties including the famous Taleggio. Already, drinks such as the Scotch Whiskey from the UK and Champagne and Cognac have the tag. If it is infringed, both civil and criminal action against the perpetrators could be taken, leading to a two-year jail term.
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization, enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act in 1999.