Navigating Post-Grant Challenges: Mattu Gulla

M.N. Namratha, University Law College, Bangalore University

The enactment of the GI Act in India was primarily intended towards the identification of any goods, be it agricultural, manufacturing, or natural as originating or manufactured, in the territory of a country, or any region, or a locality, or a geography, where a given quality or characteristic of such goods is attributed to that locality or region. The ownership and evolving nature of such goods is also attributed to that region. The GI is a name, term, mark, sign, symbol or a combination of them, primarily introduced to protect the interests of the manufacturers or producers of such goods from free riding to create product differentiation and develop unique identity1. Gls can be owned by association of individuals, producers, or organizations, or any other governing authority by or under any law for the time being under force2. The right to use GI is vested upon any member of such community producing such goods.

Identification of the Problem:

Mattu is a small coastal village in Udupi district is traditionally famous for a particular variety of brinjal - eggplant called “Mattu Gulla”. The name for this brinjal originated due to its unique taste, which aren’t replicable in any form even if original seeds are planted elsewhere in the district or nearby villages. The farmers of the village formed a community based organisation called “Mattu Gulla Bellegara Sangha, Mattu” and with the help of officials of Dept. of Horticulture got Geographical Indication certification in the year 2011 in the name of “Údupi Mattu Gulla”.