INDIA JOINING THE MADRID PROTOCOL

The Lok Sabha, the lower House of the Indian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Trademarks Act wherein the country could sign the Madrid Protocol within the next year.

This is huge step forward as it would enable MNC's to file for trademark protection in India using the Madrid system. In the current economic scenario where we see Indian Companies forging ahead with Merger & Acquisition, this move could prove to be beneficial for Indian Companies as well.

RELEASE OF TKDL

The traditional knowledge Digital Library has been released. This ambitious project has been brought with a desire to protect India’’s Traditional knowledge. The EPO will now consult the above before granting a patent. This will pevent many cases where traditional knowledge has been sought to be patented by those of other countires.

GI STATUS FOR PASHMINA

The GI Registry has granted GI status to Pashmina. This means that from now on all fine wool will not be known as Pashmina. Pashmina will be used only for that kind of wool which is made from the Pashmina goat in the Kashmir valley. The GI status was granted on Sep 12, 2008.

Pashmina is a kind of cashmere. Pashmina shawls are sold all over the world and the industry brings in around Rs 350- 360 crore for artisans in Kashmir.

Pakistan had filed an objection to the registration saying that they too produced the same kind of wool. A consultative committee set up for the purpose rejected the objection.