Legal Protection And Platform Visibility Of Geographical Indication Products In Ecommerce Ecosystems
- IJLLR Journal
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Dr. Sunil Sudhakar Varnekar, Research Scholar, Alliance, School of Law, Alliance University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Dr. Upankar Chutia, Associate Professor, Department of Law, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
In this paper, the legal protection of Geographical Indication (GI) products and their platform visibility in the e-commerce ecosystems are analyzed, and a specific emphasis is made on the issues of genuine producers in the realm of online marketplaces. GI products are valued based on their geographical source, reputation, age-old production and cultural meaning. Some of the products that are both economically significant but are also the heritage and identity of the local people include Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Mysore Silk and Mysore Sandal Soap. Nevertheless, the blistering development of ecommerce has generated new legal and technological issues associated with the counterfeit products, deceptive product descriptions, unauthorized use of GI names, and unequal platform visibility. The paper evaluates the Indian law on the subject of GI products, it also discusses the intermediary liability of e-commerce, safe harbour, notice-and-takedown liability, and the increasingly popular problem of transacting in counterfeit products of the GI brand across borders. The paper also examines the importance of platform algorithms, sponsored listings, ratings, and search rankings in dictating the presence of GI products on the Web. It claims that legitimate GI manufacturers usually find it difficult to compete with fake sellers who have better digital marketing plans and visibility on the web. The paper uses a comparative analysis of India, European Union and the United States in order to identify the best practices that can be used in enhancing GI protection in digital commerce. Lastly, the paper suggests more robust intermediary duties, compulsory GI verification badges, specific search filters of GI products, better collaboration between governmental agencies and platforms, and the application of technologies (blockchain, QR verification, and digital traceability). The paper provides the conclusion that consumer trust, cultural heritage, and rural livelihoods require the enhanced legal enforcement and improved online visibility.
Keywords: Platform Visibility, Platform Geographical Indication Products, E-Commerce Ecosystem
