Islamabad: India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has lodged a complaint with the Pakistani trademark body against attempts by Basmati Growers Association (BGA) of Pakistan to seek ownership rights of basmati rice, a media report said on Sunday.
The APEDA had challenged BGA's application filed with the office of registrar of trademarks in Karachi for a collective trademark, which would automatically grant exclusive rights to it, it said.
If the issue is not resolved on time, it would have serious repercussions on Pakistani exports of basmati rice, 'Dawn' newspaper said quoting officials.
Pakistan exported rice worth 1.1 billion during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. So far this year Pakistan exported 0.7 million tones, an increase of 17.75 in comparison to last year.
Both India and Pakistan have constituted a committee to explore possibilities to jointly fight for patenting Basmati.
The decision was taken during the recent meeting of Commerce Secretaries.
Pakistan is signatory, like India, to various international conventions, including the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Paris Convention, and the WTO etc, which provide for reciprocal protection.
The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Karachi, had convened a meeting in Lahore on Monday to formulate the future course of action against BGA's move.
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