The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to amend the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act (APEDA Act) to vest it with statutory authority for registration and protection of intellectual property rights or similar rights (including Geographical Indications) in the special product names in India and elsewhere.

The registration of Basmati Rice, etc. as a Geographical Indication under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 can be initiated and APEDA can effectively protect the Geographical Indication in India and abroad.

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Geographical indication protection expanded: APEDA authorised to register and protect speciality product names domestically and internationally. Amendment grants the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) a statutory authority to undertake registration and protection of intellectual property rights in specialised product names, including Geographical Indication designations, enabling APEDA to initiate registration of products such as Basmati rice and to manage and enforce protection of those special product names domestically and abroad.