GI for the Assamese Gamosa

Spicy IP reports that ‘The Indian Chamber of Commerce is set to file applications seeking Geographical Indication Registration for the distinctive Assamese gamosa.’

Not a particularly important piece of news but it brought a smile to my face. The Gamosa is an integral part of Assamese culture. Literally, it means a towel (to wipe the body with) but it has acquired a far more important place in the Assamese psyche than would be accorded to a mere towel. (I’m trying to avoid using phrases like ‘the hearts of the Assamese people’ here.)

In addition to its obvious uses, as Wikipedia points out, “it is hung around the neck at the prayer hall and was thrown over the shoulder in the past to signify social status. Guests are welcomed with the offering of a gamosa and tamul (betel nut) and elders are offered gamosas (bihuwaan) during Bihu. It is used to cover the altar at the prayer hall or cover the scriptures. An object of reverence is never placed on the bare ground, but always on a gamosa. One can therefore, very well say, that the gamosa symbolizes the life and culture of Assam.”

Photo: Deepraj

Imaginary IP

I came across an article published by ‘The Telegraph’ through Spicy IP on Geographical Indicator Patents which says:

“Pakistan opposes Jammu and Kashmir’s efforts to get a geographical indicator patent (GIP) on its centuries-old Sozni shawls, saying this embroidery craft is in vogue in its part of Kashmir, too. The neighbouring country’s traders want Sozni shawls made in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir included under the patent Kashmiri Sozni.”

I subscribe to several IP blogs and don’t often read any of them very carefully so when I first saw this post, the only words I initially saw were: ‘geographical indicator patent‘ and my blood ran cold wondering how I could have completely missed out on even knowing about the existence of some form of patent which was important enough to make the news.

Much to my relief, I then realised that the blog was merely reporting (an)other media mistake. Relieved though I am, I can’t imagine how a mistake like this could have crept into the story at all especially since geographical indicator disputes are, well, hardly a novelty anymore.
The Telegraph, however, is not alone in getting it wrong.

The Voice of America reports:

“Indian efforts to get a Geographical Indicator Patent registered for Kashmir Pashmina have hit a snag with opposition from neighboring Pakistan.” They go on to say that the GI patent registry is based in the south Indian city of Chennai. [2]

while The Tribune says:

“When the Srinagar-based Craft Development Institute applied for a Geographical Indicator Patent (GIP) with the Chennai-based GIP registry, Pakistan raised its objection under the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), of the WTO regime.” [3]

Links:
[1] http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080222/jsp/nation/story_8934635.jsp
[2] http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-11-voa9.cfm
[3] http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080214/j&k.htm