The
government has decided to register khadi with the patents office as geographical
product under the newly enacted Geographical Indications Act to prevent
other countries from adopting the name. This was announced by the
Union Minister of State for SSIs and Agro and Rural Industries Ms Vasundhara
Raje at the second Editors' Conference on Social Sector issues. Explaining
the urgency of the move, SSI secretary, Mr D. P. Bagchi said
khadi had an USP in handspun Indian product and a market of
its own. WTO rules provide protection for products, which convey their links
with a particular geographical location, the rules stipulate that
the protection should first be available in the country of origin.
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