Table of Contents 1. Introduction & Research Methodology; 2. Geographical Indications - Meaning, Rationale and Protection; 2.1 Meaning; 2.2 Raison d' etre; 2.3 Types of Protection accorded to Geographical Indication; 3. Protection of GIs - Pre TRIPS position; 3.1 The Paris Convention, 1883; 3.2 The Madrid Agreement, 1891; 3.3 GAIT, 1947; 3.4 The Lisbon Agreement, 1958; 3.5 WIPO Initiatives; 4. WTO - TRIPS provisions on GI; 5. The Controversies under WTO; 5.1 Prologue to negotiations; 5.2 Doha Development Agenda Multilateral Register for GIs & the extension debate; 6. The Indian perspective; 6.1 Indian GI Act - salient features and comparison with TRIPS Agreement; 6.2 The Indian Position at WTO; 7. Conclusion; 8. Bibliography;