By Dr. Saira Rahman Khan Bangladesh
is a country rich in craft and agriculture. Some items are indigenous
to its communities and groups of people and need legal recognition in
order to maintain their heritage. A geographical indication (GI) is a
sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess
qualities and characteristics that are essentially attributable to that
place of origin. Whether a sign is recognised as a geographical
indication is a matter of national law.
A geographical indication points to a specific place, or region of production, that determines the characteristic qualities of the product with relation to that place. A specific “link” exists between the products and their original place of production. Many of our products have acquired reputations which, if not adequately protected, may be misrepresented by dishonest commercial operators. Lack of/false use of geographical indications is detrimental to both the consumers and the legitimate producers.
Bangladesh has many agricultural and handicraft products that deserve geographical indication and international recognition, which is vital for its trade and commerce. Furthermore, such indication will boost these areas and communities of the country, assisting in the financial stability of communities. In 2009, a Bill to introduce geographical indication in Bangladesh was drafted. This Bill is yet to be passed by Parliament.
On 19 January, the BU Law Club of BRAC University and Banglacraft jointly organised a seminar titled ‘Claiming Ownership: A Discussion on Geographical Indication and the Law in Bangladesh’ to discuss the current situation of Bangladeshi goods and products and bring home the urgent necessity to pass the present Bill into a Law on Geographical Indication. The Programme was held at BRAC University.
Professor Md. Ali Ashraf, MP, Former Deputy Speaker, was the chief guest of the programme. Among others, there were S.U. Haider, President, Banglacraft, Maleka Khan and Shahid Hussain Shamim of Banglacraft, and Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Director of the School of Law, BRAC University.
Abdur Rouf, Registrar, Ministry of Industries, also spoke at the seminar. He commented that the Geographical Indication Law was a vital necessity in order to protect our goods. He also said that if the basic equipments needed to produce such goods were patented, then the next step to protection would be seeking GI status for the products.
In her keynote address on the proposed Law, Mahua Zahur, a lecturer of the School of Law, BRACU, commented that it was no use blaming other countries for taking away our goods. If we do nothing to protect them, it is our fault. She urged the government to pass the Bill as soon as possible.
Shahid Hussain Shamim gave the audience a detailed view of the meaning and importance of Geographical Indication and what products needed to be protected under this issue. Dr. Shahdeen Malik commented that such laws are vital to the recognition of Bangladeshi goods and the process to speed up the passing of effective and good laws needed attention.
Ishfaq Ilahi Chowdhury, Registrar of BRAC University, thanked the BU Law Club and Banglacraft for organising such a seminar and highlighting this issue. He commented that the School of Law at BRAC University was a strong voice against injustices and actively involved in social movements, especially the BU Law Club.
(The writer is an Associate Professor, School of Law, BRAC University) Source: The Daily Sun, Dhaka, 22 January 2013; link: http://daily-sun.com/details_Discussion-on-geographical-indication-and-what-needs-to-be-done_387_1_19_1_1.html
A geographical indication points to a specific place, or region of production, that determines the characteristic qualities of the product with relation to that place. A specific “link” exists between the products and their original place of production. Many of our products have acquired reputations which, if not adequately protected, may be misrepresented by dishonest commercial operators. Lack of/false use of geographical indications is detrimental to both the consumers and the legitimate producers.
Bangladesh has many agricultural and handicraft products that deserve geographical indication and international recognition, which is vital for its trade and commerce. Furthermore, such indication will boost these areas and communities of the country, assisting in the financial stability of communities. In 2009, a Bill to introduce geographical indication in Bangladesh was drafted. This Bill is yet to be passed by Parliament.
On 19 January, the BU Law Club of BRAC University and Banglacraft jointly organised a seminar titled ‘Claiming Ownership: A Discussion on Geographical Indication and the Law in Bangladesh’ to discuss the current situation of Bangladeshi goods and products and bring home the urgent necessity to pass the present Bill into a Law on Geographical Indication. The Programme was held at BRAC University.
Professor Md. Ali Ashraf, MP, Former Deputy Speaker, was the chief guest of the programme. Among others, there were S.U. Haider, President, Banglacraft, Maleka Khan and Shahid Hussain Shamim of Banglacraft, and Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Director of the School of Law, BRAC University.
Abdur Rouf, Registrar, Ministry of Industries, also spoke at the seminar. He commented that the Geographical Indication Law was a vital necessity in order to protect our goods. He also said that if the basic equipments needed to produce such goods were patented, then the next step to protection would be seeking GI status for the products.
In her keynote address on the proposed Law, Mahua Zahur, a lecturer of the School of Law, BRACU, commented that it was no use blaming other countries for taking away our goods. If we do nothing to protect them, it is our fault. She urged the government to pass the Bill as soon as possible.
Shahid Hussain Shamim gave the audience a detailed view of the meaning and importance of Geographical Indication and what products needed to be protected under this issue. Dr. Shahdeen Malik commented that such laws are vital to the recognition of Bangladeshi goods and the process to speed up the passing of effective and good laws needed attention.
Ishfaq Ilahi Chowdhury, Registrar of BRAC University, thanked the BU Law Club and Banglacraft for organising such a seminar and highlighting this issue. He commented that the School of Law at BRAC University was a strong voice against injustices and actively involved in social movements, especially the BU Law Club.
(The writer is an Associate Professor, School of Law, BRAC University) Source: The Daily Sun, Dhaka, 22 January 2013; link: http://daily-sun.com/details_Discussion-on-geographical-indication-and-what-needs-to-be-done_387_1_19_1_1.html
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