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Meenakshi Spices wants to register its own brand name as a GI for turmeric grown on its private farm, although a GI name for the region's turmeric is already in common use as the generic name for that kind of turmeric across India. Under the GI Act, 1999, why is registration likely to be refused?

Registration is likely refused because a name that has become the generic or common name of the goods does not identify a particular origin, and the GI Act, 1999 prohibits registering such names. Agricultural goods are eligible and no patent is needed, so genericness is the obstacle.

  1. ABecause turmeric is an agricultural good, not eligible for GI
  2. BBecause a generic name for goods, which has become the common name, is not registrable as a GICorrect
  3. CBecause private farms cannot own land-based goods
  4. DBecause GI can be granted only after a patent is granted

Explanation

The Act bars registration of a GI that has become the generic name or designation of goods of that description, as it would no longer indicate a specific origin. Agricultural goods are expressly eligible, and no patent is required.

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