Author name: Sumathi Chandrasekharan

SpicyIP Tidbits: E-book on Evolving Contours of GIs

/ By / Geographical Indication, Publication

There is growing awareness in India of geographical indications as a separate form of intellectual property, even if there is constant mis-reporting of GIs as patents, trademarks, etc., which we will continue to berate here until there is actual clarity on the differences! Meanwhile, to help understand the international policy background in which GIs have emerged, and its application in various parts of the world, the Institute of Intellectual Property Studies (IIPS) and the MVIRDC World Trade Centre have brought […]

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IIT alums lead the way in incubating ideas

/ By / Innovation

A new project of the PanIIT Alumni India to promote innovation in India may be just the right push needed to bring the achievements of budding inventors and innovators to fruition. EFY Times reports that the India Technology Centre (ITC) will be functioning under the aegis of PanIIT Alumni India (PIAI), with its primary objectives as follows: To promote and foster a culture of innovation and invention in India. To provided support and guidance to inventors, and help them to

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SpicyIP Tidbits: Anjali Prasad to be new DIPP JS

/ By / Uncategorized

It’s all in the family: The incoming Joint Secretary (JS) of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), is going to be Anjali Prasad, who also happens to be the wife of the outgoing JS, N N Prasad. A comment on an earlier post on the 50 most influential people in IP led us to a blog appropriately named Babus of India from where the note was lifted. Apologies for the slight delay in reporting this, but I was

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PCT v. 2.0 on the anvil?

/ By / Patent

WIPO intends to impose a “Global Patenting Regime” on the developing world, on behalf of big pharma and developed countries, if this editorial by KG Narendranath in Economic Times and this note in Pharmabiz are anything to go by. Or does it? A Madrid System for Patents “The WIPO plan is to institute a system similar to the one that exists for international registration of Trade Marks under the Madrid System… With the approval of Global Patenting at the General

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Guest Post: Is OSHO a Trademark – Osho Friends to the Rescue

/ By / Trademark

We bring you a guest post on controversial case of the Osho trademark, as decided by the Trademark Trial and Appellate Board (TTAB) in the US. You will recall our previous posts on the frequently coinciding paths of the sacred and the profane in IP, which you can sample here, here and here. Today’s post is in continuation of the same, and draws attention to the detailed discussion by the TTAB on whether or not OSHO could be regarded as

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WIPO’s TK talks fail after 9 years of negotiation

/ By / Uncategorized

A historic solar eclipse is ’round the bend, and like so many astronomical occurrences, bears ominous tidings. The movements of the skies were portended by the developments of a fortnight ago in Geneva almost eerily, when the fourteenth session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), meeting in a midsummer week from June 29 to July 3, 2009, to discuss the future work in continuation of its nine years of existence, simply concluded thus:

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SpicyIP Tidbits: IPO’s latest note on PoAs

/ By / Uncategorized

The IPO has issued procedural instructions that henceforth, until clear cut directions are made, patent and trademark applications may be accepted if accompanied with a request for filing a power of attorney (PoA) within one month. This is part of a series of changes that are being brought about in Patent Office Procedure by the Controller General over the past several months. [Added Later: I forgot to hyperlink earlier to this post by Shamnad on whether a delay in the

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SpicyIP Tidbit: Birmingham wants a GI for Balti

/ By / Uncategorized

The Birmingham City Council, UK, is considering applying for a GI for “Balti” dishes that they claim originated in that part of the world, according to this and this news item from the BBC. Balti, yes, as in bucket in Hindi/Hindustani/other languages, according to the Council website “is actually a round bottomed wok with side handles, originally used by the people in the Baltistan region of Pakistan”. (Er… “kadhai” anyone?). The BBC report adds that Balti is a type of

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Thank you for making us #4 in the IP world!

/ By / Uncategorized

After a two – phase assessment process spread over several months, IP Watchdog Gene Quinn has published his results of the top 50 patent blogs. We’re delighted to inform you that SpicyIP ranks in at number 4 in the IP blog world, based on a calculation system that has taken into account links, website traffic and votes. The image on the left takes you to the website. For details on methodology and detailed ranking results, please visit here. Spicy IP

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IPO, are you there?

/ By / Uncategorized

I ran an experiment of sorts yesterday. After having frequently heard officers from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) recommend the “Interactive Guidance” facility offered on their website, I attempted to use the service myself. [On the home page of the IPO, you can spot “Interactive Guidance” under the “Gateways” section in the left frame.] They advertise their service thus: Every working day, one officer is available between 1500 Hrs and 1600

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