India: Rasgulla originated in West Bengal, rules the country’s GI authorities

Source: www.palpalindia.com

On November 14, 2017, the Indian State of West Bengal received the Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Rasgulla after a 26 months legal tussle with the neighboring state of Orissa.

In 2015, the state of Odisha declared “Rosogola Diwas” to celebrate the Odia origin of the sweet. West Bengal State Food Processing and Horticulture Development Corporation Limited legally countered the statement by filing a claim for a GI tag at the Office of the Controller General of Patents,  Designs & Trademark (hereinafter referred to as the ‘CGPDTM’) for the sweet claiming that the dish was originated by the renowned sweet-maker Nobin Chandra Das in the year 1868. Thereafter, Odisha also asserted to be the origin of the sweet claiming that it was offered to Lord Jagannath.

West Bengal’s submission was based on Haripada Bhowmik’s book on Rasogolla which stated that the item was first seen in the form of “Della Rasogolla” in the year 1860 in the town of Fulia in Nadia District. They also submitted that the main ingredient for this sweet is “channa”, which as a word does not exist in any other language other than Bengali, and it is derived from the Sanskrit work “chinna” which means torn, broken, fragments of Milk. The technique of making sweets from “channa” was taught exclusively to Bengalis by the Dutch and Portuguese colonists in the 18^th century. Its Bengali origin was also strengthened by the fact that in the 15^th century “channa” was introduced to the Bengali cuisine, however, it was consider inauspicious to serve this to the Gods including Lord Jagannath.

In the reply to the examination report, as available on the website of the CGPDTM, it is stated that  there are more than 1,00,000 sweat-meat shops in West Bengal that are dedicated to Rasogolla, and the sale of ‘Banglar Rasogolla’ produces approximately Rs. 3600 crore in a year. Thus, obtaining a GI tag would help in the trade, export, quality, and authentication of the unique product.

A comparative study was conducted between the Banglar Rasogolla and other sweets of the same kind. Tests were done based on the color, texture, taste, moisture, etc., which subsequently proved the uniqueness of the Rasogolla. Scientific and microbiological analyses too were conducted which yielded the same result.

India: Lucy Rana of S.S. Rana & Co., speaks at the National Conference on Intellectual Property Rights

Mrs. Lucy Rana, Managing Associate Advocate at S.S. Rana & Co., recently on November 24, 2017, spoke at the session titled, “IP Infringement and Enforcement”, at the National Conference on Intellectual Property Rights, hosted by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Her session initially began with the basics of Intellectual Property and its importance to a Start-Up. Further, she went on to address a few brief points on the remedies available to right holders in case of an infringement, and concluded with a short talk on the Governmental efforts to promote IPR’s in the past couple of years.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1905, is a proactive and dynamic multi-State apex organisation working at the grass-root level and with strong national and international linkages. The Chamber acts as a catalyst in the promotion of industry, trade and entrepreneurship. PHD Chamber, through its research-based policy advocacy role, positively impacts the economic growth and development of the nation.

Sangeeta Das, of S.S. Rana & Co., speaks on Designs and Trademarks at Desh Bhagat University

Ms. Sangeeta Das, a Patent Agent at S.S. Rana & Co., recently spoke at a Patent Awareness Workshop organized by Desh Bhagat University’s Patent Information Centre. The workshop was attended by industrialist from Ludhiana, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amargarh, Amloh, Rajpura and experts from TIFAC DST, Government of India, students and staff members from the Faculty of Engineering of Desh Bhagat University.  

The event was inaugurated by the University Chancellor Dr. Zora Singh, who stated that the objective of the event was to teach the students of the university about the various facets of intellectual property, like patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright, etc. The Chief Guest on this occasion was Vinod Vashist, President of All India Steel Rolling Association, who shared his views on Copyright, and the challenges faced by entreprenuers in the changed knowledge regime.

The topic of Ms. Das’s lecture was ‘Industrial Designs and Trademarks in India’. The talk initially focused on the basics of Industrial Designs and Trademark Law followed by the importance and practical aspects of Trademark and Design Registration in India. 

S.S. Rana & Co., features in Band 3 of Chambers and Partner’s Asia Pacific Guide 2018

S.S. Rana & Co., is ranked in Brand 3 for Intellectual Property by Chambers and Partners in their latest Asia Pacific 2018 Guide. Managing Partner, Mr. Vikrant Rana is quoted to be a ‘well-known’ trademark lawyer in the region, and received accolades for his practice and expertise.

Since 1990, Chambers and Partners have been ranking the best lawyers geographically and currently covers over 185 jurisdictions. It ranks both lawyers and law firms based on research of more than 170 Full-Time editors and researchers employed by them.