Muga recognised as Assams original yarn
By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 22 After a long wait, Assams luminous golden muga silk has
now secured the recognition under the Intellectual Property Rights that it has
its origin in Assam only. In the changed trade and commercial scenario under
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime, this recognition called Geographical
Indications (GI) will definitely provide better legal protection to this
golden yarn, its fabric and the people connected with their production.
The certificate of GI registration of muga, which is the first GI right the
State has attained, will be presented to the Chief Minister at a function
scheduled for 9-45 am of August 24 at the Panbazar auditorium of the
Institution of Engineers here. The Chief Minster will receive it on behalf of
the people of the State, said official sources here.
On behalf of the States people, the Patent Information Centre (PIC) of the
Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) had made an
application with the GI Registry of India to register muga as the GI of Assam
on July 20, 2006. It needs mention here that the State Government had earlier
made the PIC the nodal agency for the purpose.
In preparing the application, the PIC consulted and collected information from
the Sericulture Department, ARTFED, Institute of Advanced Studies in Science
and Technology, Archaeology Directorate, Directorate of Historical and
Antiquarian Studies, Gauhati Universitys Department of Sanskrit and KK
Handique Library and many experts working in the area.
The PIC application was sent to the GI Registry, Chennai through the Patent
Facilitating Centre of Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment
Council of the Union Department of Science and Technology. The Delhi-based law
firmCorporate Law Grouprendered attorney services to the PIC in this matter.
And now, the GI Registry has registered muga as GI of Assam.
Now the PIC of ASTEC is the registered proprietor of muga on behalf of the
Government of Assam. States Sericulture Department, ARTFED, Central Silk Board
and farmers and other producers can become authorised users of this luminous
golden silk.
It needs mention here that in case of GI, only the registered proprietor and
authorised users can initiate infringement actions. The authorised users can
exercise the exclusive right to use the geographical indication.
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