Islamabad:
The
Senate’s Standing Committee on Commerce and
Textile recently announced its decision to approve the much-awaited
Geographical Indications (GI) Bill, 2019 — with the new regulation aimed at
protecting the commercial heritage of goods produced within the country,
according to new sources.
The legislation was first introduced some 18 years ago and has been awaiting approval ever since. After the senate body’s approval, the bill will now be presented before the upper parliament house for its approval; after which it will be sent to the National Assembly for further deliberation.
The Senate committee was chaired
by Senator Mirza Muhamamd Afridi. During the meeting, Intellectual Property
Organisation (IPO) Chairman Pakistan Mujeeb Ahmed Khan said that this bill was
deliberated-upon in great detail. He added that after the law has been accepted
by the parliament, it will prove to be beneficial for exporters, traders and
growers.
Earlier, the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) green-lighted the draft of this legislation. Upon the passing of the bill, Pakistan will be able to claim and use GI for any locally made consumer goods.
The committee members suggested that the Commerce Ministry and IPO should add products’ protection under the new GI legislation while keeping climate change factors in mind.
Currently, multiple international
brands are selling Pakistan-origin products (Peshawari Chappals, Basmati Rice
etc.) while depriving Pakistan from getting premium on its GIs in the global
market. The new law entails that once GI is registered, an infringement action
can be launched by both the registrant and authorised users. Around 121
countries have approved their GI laws already.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
