Govt gets poor response for registration of indigenous products
The government has got a lukewarm response from producers and state agencies for the registration of unique or traditional products of the country under the Geographical Indication (GI) law to protect patent of the items.
The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) received only three applications for listing of jamdani sari, and kataribhog and kalijira rice as GI products after calling for entries from producers and other stakeholders 10 months ago.
Geographical indication is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
As per rules, an association of producers or a government organisation that works to safeguard producers' interests can apply for GI registration of a product.
A detailed description of the product, geographical area, map of the production zone and historical proof and uniqueness of the product should be provided for the registration, according to DPDT. After registration, a producers' body will be able to fix a logo and label on each product before marketing.
The agency under the industries ministry will soon register jamdani as a GI product, for which Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation submitted an application in September last year.
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has applied for kalijira and
rice to be registered under the GI law.
The institute has also identified 20 varieties of popular rice seeds, including kataribhog, kalijira, binni, birui, banshful and balam rice, said Mohammad Khalequzzaman, chief scientific officer and head of genetic resources and seed division of BRRI.
“We are in the process to submit applications for them also.”
The DPDT has not yet received any application from the private sector, said an official of the department, seeking anonymity as he is not authorised to talk to the media.
“We held a number of meetings with other government agencies and producers, especially with mango growers, to encourage them to apply for such registration. But it seems that people are still not aware of it.”
The government passed the GI law in 2013 to protect the patent rights of traditional products through registration and safeguard interests of producers and buyers. It framed rules in 2015 to implement the law.
Stakeholders said the GI law will help strengthen the country's claims to commodities such as hilsa fish, jamdani sari, nakshi kantha and different fruits, including fazli, a variety of mango.
Registering products with geographical reputation will enable producers to brand the products and get better prices, the DPDT official said.
The private sector, especially trade bodies and associations, should come forward to register such products under the law, he said.
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