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Traders cautioned on using `Basmati' name

Special Correspondent

Violation of guideline will undermine GI

CHENNAI: The Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA) has warned the trade against the possibility of the geographical indication (GI) `Basmati' becoming a "generic" name usable by any trader as a result of the failure of traders to adhere to the labelling guidelines. In a communication to exporters, APEDA said it had observed an "alarming increase" in the number of cases of labelling infringement by exporters of Basmati rice who have been applying for registration of trade marks with the name Basmati for various products, including rice in general. "This situation is extremely harmful to the Basmati interests of the country".

To enable exporters to use the Basmati name in a proper manner, it has posted guidelines for use of the GI. Traders should ensure while seeking to register a trade mark in conjunction with the word Basmati that the rice sold under the mark is genuine Basmati and that the description of goods in the application is limited to Basmati rice. If the trade mark is used for other rice , then applicant must agree that, the word Basmati forming part of the mark would be replaced by the appropriate name of the other rice concerned.' APEDA has also appealed to traders not to use the word Basmati as part of their corporate names/trading styles/domain name.

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