Rules 56-58 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 56, as substituted in 2020, lets a producer apply to the Registrar on Form GI-3 (now printed as Form GI 3A) for registration as an authorised user of a registered indication, with a statement of case, and requires a copy of the application to go to the registered proprietor. Rule 57 deals with examination and rule 58 applies much of the opposition and registration procedure to the authorised user application.
Since the Amendment Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 528(E), 26 August 2020), an authorised user application under section 17 is made to the Registrar in Form GI-3 (printed as Form GI 3A) with a statement of case on how the applicant claims to be a producer of the registered indication. A copy is forwarded to the registered proprietor and this is intimated to the Registrar. The fee is entry 3A of the First Schedule, Rs. 10 as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025. The old joint application, affidavit and consent letter of the 2002 text no longer apply.
What rule 56 required in 2002, and why it no longer applies
As notified in 2002, rule 56(1) required the application to be made jointly by the registered proprietor and the proposed authorised user in Form GI-3, with a statement of case and an affidavit, and rule 56(2) allowed a copy of the proprietor's letter of consent to accompany it, failing which a copy of the application was endorsed to the proprietor for information. The Amendment Rules, 2020 substituted rule 56 entirely, and the 2002 requirements no longer apply. The joint application, the affidavit and the consent letter described in older writing and in the GI Registry's Manual of Practice and Procedure (2011) are gone from the rule. If you are preparing such an application, a GI registration adviser can confirm the current papers. The manual, which is guidance without the force of law, is older than the 2020 change, so its chapter on authorised users should not be followed for the application. Our older overview of authorised user rights gives context only.
Rule 56(1) as substituted in 2020
"An application for registration of authorized user under section 17 may be made to the Registrar in Form GI-3 accompanied by a statement of case as to how the applicant claims to be the producer of the registered geographical indication."
Key features:
- Who applies. The person who wants to be an authorised user, on his own. The rule no longer requires the registered proprietor to join.
- Where and what. To the Registrar, with a statement of case as to how the applicant claims to be the producer.
- Which form. The rule still says "Form GI-3", while the 2020 notification substituted Form GI-3 with Form GI 3A (application for registration of an authorised user, section 17(1), rule 56(1)) and Form GI 3B (renewal). This is an inconsistency in the text that was not amended: read the rule's "Form GI-3" as Form GI 3A for a new application.
- Fee. Entry 3A of the First Schedule, as substituted in November 2025: Rs. 10, against Form GI-3. Form GI 3A prints "Fee: Rs. 10 ".
Form GI 3A: what it asks
Form GI 3A, as substituted in 2020, is headed "Application for the Registration of an Authorized User ". It asks for:
- name of the applicant (proposed authorised user);
- address of the applicant;
- address for service (if different);
- the registered geographical indication for which the application is made;
- email id; and
- phone or mobile number.
The declaration states that the applicant has enclosed the statement of case and evidence of due service of a copy of the application to the registered proprietor, that the information is true and correct to the applicant's knowledge and belief, and that if any information is found incorrect or false, the application may be rejected and if already accepted, the registration may be revoked and the name removed from Part B of the Register. Date, place and signature follow.
So the form itself requires evidence that the registered proprietor was served a copy. That matches rule 56(2).
Rule 56(2): copy to the registered proprietor
"A copy of application made under sub-rule (1) shall be forwarded to the registered proprietor of geographical indication and intimate the same to the Registrar." The text does not say who forwards the copy, but the form's declaration suggests the applicant must show proof of service with the application. Keep a receipt or acknowledgement from the proprietor's office.
For a producer in a GI region, the registered proprietor is typically the association or authority that holds the registration. Writing to that body early, before filing, avoids surprises. The Act-level provisions are in our article on section 17 of the GI Act.
Rule 57: examination and report
Rule 57 is a single sentence: "Upon receipt of an application for the registration as an authorised user in respect of a registered geographical indication, the Registrar shall cause it to be examined and shall issue a report." The 2020 amendment did not touch it. The examination therefore ends in a report to the applicant, just as for a GI application under rule 33, where the report is the Examination Report. The rule does not mention a Consultative Group for authorised users; the text is silent on that point. The statement of user required for every application, including one "as an authorised user", is in rule 25; see our article on Convention applications and statement of user.
Rule 58: opposition and procedure apply with changes
Rule 58, which the 2020 amendment did not change, applies rules 34 to 52, 54 and 55 to authorised user applications, with the necessary changes (mutatis mutandis). In effect an authorised user application follows the same path as a GI application:
- examination and objection (rules 33 and 34);
- decision and amendment (rules 35 and 36);
- advertisement (rules 38 to 40);
- opposition on Form GI-2 (rules 41 to 51), with the section 17(3)(e) period;
- notice of non-completion on Form O-1 (rule 52); and
- death of applicant and certificate provisions (rules 54 and 55).
Rule 53 (entry in Part A) is left out of that list; authorised users are entered in Part B, under rule 59. See our article on rule 59. Because rule 58 still refers to rule 55, the certificate provisions of rule 55 come in, but rule 59 as amended in 2020 now provides the certificate on entry in Part B.
The earlier articles in this series explain each of these steps: examination and hearing, advertisement and notice of opposition.
| Step | Rule | What applies to an authorised user application |
|---|---|---|
| Application | 56(1) | Form GI-3 (printed GI 3A), statement of case, entry 3A (Rs. 10) |
| Copy to proprietor | 56(2) | Forwarded to the registered proprietor and intimated to the Registrar |
| Examination | 57 | Registrar causes it to be examined and issues a report |
| Procedure | 58 | Rules 34 to 52, 54 and 55 apply with necessary changes |
| Entry | 59 | Part B of the Register, with certificate (see next article) |
Drafting inconsistencies to keep in mind
- Rule 56(1) says "Form GI-3" while the forms are headed GI 3A and GI 3B.
- Rule 58 still applies rules 34 to 52, 54 and 55 to authorised user applications, and was not amended in 2020; read those rules with the 2020 changes to rules 56 and 59 in mind.
- The First Schedule, as substituted in 2025, shows entry 3A at Rs. 10 and has no separate entry for a request for an authorised user certificate; the 2020 amendment omitted the old entry 3B for that request.
A worked example
Gurdaspur Basmati Millers, an invented firm, wants to use a registered indication for its rice. Under rule 56(1) as substituted it applies to the Registrar on Form GI 3A, pays the entry 3A fee and attaches a statement of case saying how it claims to be a producer. It sends a copy to the registered proprietor, an association, and keeps proof of service as the form's declaration requires. Under rule 58 the application is examined and advertised like a GI application. All names are invented.
Need help becoming an authorised user?
The authorised user route has fewer papers than before, but the statement of case and service on the proprietor still need care. We help producers prepare these papers; see our GI registration service for how we support authorised user filings.
Key takeaways
- Rule 56 was substituted in 2020: an authorised user applies to the Registrar in Form GI-3 (printed GI 3A) with a statement of case on being a producer.
- A copy goes to the registered proprietor, and this is intimated to the Registrar (rule 56(2)).
- Fee: entry 3A, Rs. 10 as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025.
- The 2002 joint application, affidavit and consent letter no longer apply.
- Rule 58 applies rules 34 to 52, 54 and 55 to the application with necessary changes.
- Check for amendments after 3 November 2025.
Read next
- Rule 59: registration of authorised user and entry in Part B
- Rule 60: renewal of registration
- Section 17 of the GI Act: application for registration as authorised user
- Authorized User of GI: registration and rights
Disclaimer: Based on the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 as notified on 8 March 2002 and as amended by the Amendment Rules of 2020 (G.S.R. 528(E)) and 2025 (G.S.R. 812(E)), as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendment rules, forms and fees should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.