To counter the threat from international market to country’s traditional art and craft, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is initiating the process of filing of necessary applications to acquire Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection of unique products produced across Uttar Pradesh; through registration under Geographical Indication (GI).
The bureau along with Intellectual Property Lab, Lucknow is ready to file the applications for some key products produced across the state.
The five places short listed for the G.I. status are Ferozabad for glass bangles, Moradabad for metal ware, Kanpur for leather saddlery, Kannauj for Attar (perfume) and Bhadohi for carpets.
“We will soon file the application for the five products linked exclusively with the state, with Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai with Controller of Patents, Designs and Trademark,” Rahul Dutta from Intellectual Property Lab told Business Standard.
Geographical Indication (GIs) means an indication, which identifies goods as agricultural goods, natural goods or manufactured goods as originating or manufactured in the territory of a country or a region where a given quality is essentially attributed to its geographical origin. “It is a necessary step to ensure quality control and true recognition of the art and the people engaged in it. We need to sensitise the manufacturers for their right over the exclusivity of their produce,” he added.
According to estimates, there are about 421 SSIs registered and 50, 000 other cottage industries engaged in galls ware industry of Ferozabad. The total revenue earned by the industry accounts for Rs. 800 crores out of which Rs. 62. 20 crores are exports.
Likewise for the leather saddlery industry of Kanpur, there is 305 units engaged in the trade employing thousands of people.
A major bulk of the produce is exported to countries including Australia, USA, England, Denmark and South Africa. Moreover there are above 50 products (covering sectors like agriculture, textile and small scale industries) across the state which can be covered under GI.
“The advantage of GI is that it benefits the community as a whole and not an individual. This adds on to the reputation of the product thus increasing the sales.
