Feni makers on high as spirit gets GI tag

New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) The western state of Goa's famed
alcoholic beverage Feni has been granted geographical
indication (GI) tag which gives local producers exclusive
brand protection rights.

As per the information available with the geographical
indication registry office, under the jurisdiction of the
Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks, Feni
has been registered under class 33, which deals with alcoholic
beverages (except beers).

GI is an indication which identifies a product as
originating from a particular geographical area, where a given
quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is
attributable to its geographical origin.

The Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and
The Department of Science, Technology & Environment of the Goa
government had jointly sought the GI tag for Feni, which is
made from juice of the cashew apple.

"GI protection for Feni will ensure that though others
might try to copy the spirit but they cannot call it Feni and
surf on the brand equity built up by Goa," Goa Cashew Feni
Distillers & Bottlers Association President Mac Vaz told PTI.

The association feels GI tag would benefit the Feni
industry in the state, though cashew fruit is amply available
in neighbouring states as well as across the world.

"We are planning to file applications in some other
countries, including European Union for the GI status of
Feni," Goa government's Department of Science, Technology &
Environment Director Michael D'souza said.

India is a member of WTO's rules on intellectual property
(Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS) and
as of its obligations, the country has passed its own GI Act,
which contains a registration system.

According to one estimate, about 40,000 people are
involved in Feni industry Goa directly or indirectly, which
includes distillers, bottlers and farmers.

The production logistics of the cottage industry in Goa
begins when the cashew fruit is harvested in February or March
and the process of making feni is complete by end of May.

According to association, nearly 2,000 small distills are
set up during the season. The price of Feni varies between Rs
60 to Rs 800.

Although, the present tag has been granted only for Feni
produced from cashew apple juice but, according to
association, within the application there is a provision made
to file a separate additional application for coconut Feni.

Coconut Feni is made from the sap of the coconut palm.

Further, after getting the GI tag in the country, the
state government now wants to register feni on some other
countries for the same as it will help the brand to be global.

The GI tag has been awarded to a number of products or
goods, including the famous Assam silk, Darjeeling Tea and
Madhubani Paintings. PTI SKR
SCY
NNNN


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.