Aranmula Kannadi and how a Geographical Indication is registered, renewed and cancelled

Background

India established a legal framework for protecting products linked to specific regions through the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, with the Rules notified in 2002; the framework became operational in 2003.
Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal was the first product in India to receive a GI tag, with protection extended to both the product and its logo.
Other early registrations included Aranmula Kannadi, a traditional handicraft from Kerala, and Pochampalli Ikat, a renowned textile craft from Telangana.
Any association of producers, organisation, or authority established under law can apply for GI registration, and the applicant must be a legal entity and represent the interests of the producers of the concerned product.
The GI Registry is located at Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, which has all-India Jurisdiction.
The registration of a GI is valid for ten years, but may be renewed from time to time.
Revocation, cancellation or variation is governed by Section 27 of the Act, and a registration may be cancelled if it was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation, or if it has fallen into disuse.
India is home to over 800 registered GI products, and 445 handicraft products and 27 product logos have been registered under the Act; a GI that misleads consumers about geographical origin cannot be registered at all.