Abstract

The prospects of building legal frameworks to create synergies between IP and place-based goods has sparked interest in the global south in using geographical indications (GIs) as innovation and development platforms. The chapter discusses whether the IP and development divide is still a problem in the global south by analysing how the region has or can conceivably deal with place-based IP-intensive goods in global consumer markets. GIs or place-based goods are often envisaged as products with development-oriented attributes. The chapter analyses the paradox of this perspective and finds that GIs are more likely to be relevant to the global south only if the regions find innovative ways of investing and commercialising these products. Without choosing this altered course, GIs are likely to fail as development assets in the global south.