GUWAHATI, June 11 � There is no veritable threat to Muga Geographical Indication (GI) Rights, which was obtained by the Patent Information Centre (PIC) of the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) in 2006 initially for ten years. ASTEC counsel in regards to Muga GI Rights, advocate Rajashree Sarma said there would be no problem in getting its GI Rights renewed in 2016 contrary to the apprehensions expressed by some circles.
Moreover, there is not much threat to Muga from Munga, she said. Munga is a Tassar silk variety produced in Bihar. It is used by unscrupulous traders in a deceptive manner to occupy the Muga market. But the Muga Logo, obtained by the PIC on March 3, 2014, will be able to eliminate the threat, she said.
The Muga Logo has fortified the GI Rights of Muga, the first Assam silk to obtain GI Rights. The Logo obtained from the Office of the GI Registry of the Union Government, is expected to help in maintaining quality, reputation and uniqueness of Muga silk and also to promote goods bearing the Indian GI in the export market.
Meanwhile, the Muga Inspection Body, which comprises experts of varied fields and formed to monitor the use of the Muga GI Rights, has decided to look into the issues related with the commercial use of Muga Logo. It needs mention here that though the PIC of the ASTEC is the proprietor of the Muga GI and the Muga Logo, it cannot use the GI Rights or the Logo for commercial purposes. Only the authorised/registered users will be able to use the Logo commercially.
A meeting of the Muga GI users, PIC and the Inspection Body held here yesterday, decided to set up a committee to look into the matter of the viable ways to use the Muga Logo shortly.
