TDAP URGED TO FILE GI TM APPLICATIONS SANS DELAY FOR NATIONAL HERITAGE ITEMS

The Financial Daily 02/11/2020

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has expressed surprise at the delay in filing of applications for all geographical items.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said GI items applications need to be filed without delay as GI law is now in place. The earlier the applications are filed the better it is. It is our duty to protect and promote our GI items and ensure they are not infringed by greedy traders and malafide interest he emphasized.
He wondered why Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is not filing applications as the GI tags will also promote exports of SMEs engaged in GI items value addition.
He said in Pakistan, GI tags under GI law can protect basmati rice, Hunza apricots, Charsadda (Peshawari) chappal, Multani halwa, Hala’s Ajrak, Sargodha’s kinno, Kasuri methi, Sindhri mango, Dir knives, Swat wild mushrooms, Nili-Ravi buffalo, Chaman grapes, dates from Dera Ismail Khan, Turbat and Khairpur, Pashmina shawls and other identified items as reported in trade journals
UNISAME experts were happy to learn that Peshawari chappals application was filed. Likewise all applications for all GI items need to be filed immediately.
UNISAME Council members have urged the secretary TDAP Ahsan Mangi to without loss of time file applications not only for GI with Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) but also get the trademark registered with the trademarks registry simultaneously to cover all aspects diligently.
UNISAME expressed thanks to ministry of commerce and all its subordinate organisations namely IPO, TDAP, Trademarks Registry and the ministry of law for working on GI law and having it passed in the National Assembly.
The GI law became very necessary for protection of our GI items which are reputed and known for their identity and very especial features and characteristics not found in other areas.

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