The Limited Promise of Geographical Indications for Developing Country Farmers

This book chapter attempts to cut through the hype from advocates of strong protection of “geographical indications” (GIs) and appreciate GIs for what are: a potentially useful tool – in some circumstances – for raising rural incomes in developing countries. In this sense, properly calibrated legal protection of GIs should be part of a “development agenda” for jurisdictions with significant rural economies. The chapter explores some of the factors determining whether and how GI marketing (and GI legal protection) can help any particular rural region – with specific discussions of Ethiopia's coffee regions, Femi liquor from Goa, and Papus New Guinea coffee