Muga recognised as Assam's 'original' yarn
By A Staff Reporter (Assam Tribune)

GUWAHATI, Aug 22 – After a long wait, Assam's luminous golden muga silk has now secured the recognition under the Intellectual Property Rights that it has its origin in Assam only. In the changed trade and commercial scenario under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime, this recognition called Geographical Indications (GI) — will definitely provide better legal protection to this golden yarn, its fabric and the people connected with their production.

The certificate of GI registration of muga, which is the first GI right the State has attained, will be presented to the Chief Minister at a function scheduled for 9-45 am of August 24 at the Panbazar auditorium of the Institution of Engineers here. The Chief Minster will receive it on behalf of the people of the State, said official sources here.

On behalf of the State's people, the Patent Information Centre (PIC) of the Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) had made an application with the GI Registry of India to register muga as the GI of Assam on July 20, 2006. It needs mention here that the State Government had earlier made the PIC the nodal agency for the purpose.

In preparing the application, the PIC consulted and collected information from the Sericulture Department, ARTFED, Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology, Archaeology Directorate, Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Gauhati University's Department of Sanskrit and KK Handique Library and many experts working in the area.

The PIC application was sent to the GI Registry, Chennai through the Patent Facilitating Centre of Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council of the Union Department of Science and Technology. The Delhi-based law firm—Corporate Law Group—rendered attorney services to the PIC in this matter. And now, the GI Registry has registered muga as GI of Assam.

Now the PIC of ASTEC is the registered proprietor of muga on behalf of the Government of Assam. State's Sericulture Department, ARTFED, Central Silk Board and farmers and other producers can become authorised users of this luminous golden silk.

It needs mention here that in case of GI, only the registered proprietor and authorised users can initiate infringement actions. The authorised users can exercise the exclusive right to use the geographical indication.