News Details
As part of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) component of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) of the Ministry of MSME, the Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) organized an awareness programme on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in association with U.P. Glass Manufacturers Syndicate (UPGMS) for the MSMEs of Firozabad Glass Industry on February 25, 2012. Shri Mohan Lal Aggarwal, President, UPGMS and Shri Hanuman Prasad Garg, Director, The Glass Industrial Syndicate inaugurated the programme which was attended by nearly 35 entrepreneurs from glass units in and around Firozabad.
The programme was intended to sensitize the industry members on the importance of acquiring IP rights of their work through trademark, copyrights and patents for gaining an edge over competitors. During the event participants were informed about the role of the Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) for MSMEs and the services to be provided by this centre. IP experts participating in the programme focused on the importance of protecting Industrial designs so that the Glass Industry of Firozabad can get recognition for the creativity of their intellectual work.
Ferozabad glassware has a long history going back to King Akbar and the industry started with manufacture of bangles, small bottles and other glass articles. These products such as decorative lights, candle stands, flower vases are unique as they do not have joints. Officials of FISMA’s IPR Facilitation Centre explained to the participants the content and scope of Geographical Indications applications as an intellectual property right with examples related to the local glass industry and how the term ‘Firozabad Glass’ can be protected from a GI perspective and how other such GI rights such as Kannauj Perfume, Kanpur Saddlery, Moradabad Metal Craft, etc. can be created and protected through artisans forming communities to register and control the use of their GIs. Such GIs could then be used for the development and overall benefit of the Glass Industry in Firozabad.
