Though the system of providing collective trademark had been introduced by Department of Industry (DoI) to help Nepali products get space in international market, it has not been able to attract the entrepreneurs.[break]
If data of Industrial Property Division (IPD) at DoI is anything to go by, only two industries have registered their collective trade marks -- pashmina and tea. Nepal Pashmina Association (NPA) and Nepal Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB) have obtained collective trademark in 2010 to brand and promote local productions under single name.
DoI - the sole authority to register intellectual property (IP) including trademarks, patents, product designs and collective trademark - had introduced collective trademark two years ago. However, as the local entrepreneurs failed to recognize its significance, only a few entrepreneurs have approached DoI, claiming for the mark, according to DOI officials.
The officials said Terathum Dhaka Protection Federation (TDPF), Honey Producers Association (HPA), Handmade Paper Association in Nepal (HPAN), Saugat Griha, Carpet Producers Association (CPA), Nirdhan Bikas Bank (NBB) and Micro Entrepreneurs Association have applied for collective trademark.
They said all of them approached DoI for collective trademark last year. However, none of them have received the mark.
According to Radha Krishna Shrestha, director of IPD, these associations did not approach with necessary documents while applying for collective trademark. "As they did not fulfill the necessary requirements, we have asked them to meet the criteria. But they have not come so far," he said.
The mark is basically owned by an association but it is used by the members of the association.
"It´s really sad that a larger number of entrepreneurs have not claimed for the mark," stated Shrestha, "We have been expecting more applications, claiming for the mark but the situation is just the reverse."
DoI has registered a total of 1,451 intellectual property (IP) including 1,449 trade marks and 2 patent rights during the fiscal year 2010/11. During the same period, 67 complaints were filed at DoI for violation of IP.
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