Context: Due to the Covid-19 lockdown has impacted the sale of Bangalore Blue variety of grapes.
About Bangalore Blue Grapes

• Its characteristics are foxy flavour (effect of a flavour substance called methyl anthranilate), is exclusively grown in Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts.
• It is grown in red sandy loam soil at a day temperature of about 35-37 degrees Celsius and night temperature of 12-15 degree Celsius which is unique to Bangalore and its surrounding areas.
• It develops their typical dark purple colour at this temperature.
• It is mostly used for making juice and wine/spirit.
• It has been given Geographical Indication Status in 2013.

About Geographical Indication Status

• It is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• It is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
• It is valid for a period of 10 years.
• It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
• It is also a part of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).