Basmati patent will not affect India's export: Minister

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 23. The Government today reiterated that the decision of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to grant patent on Basmati rice lines and grain to an American firm (RiceTec) ``would not have severe and adverse implications for India in regard to its Basmati rice trade/exports''.

Making a statement in Parliament, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Raman Singh, said the decision in fact ``signaled a victory for India''.

The grant of the said patent had not affected India's exports in general and to the U.S. in particular. He said a Basmati Development Fund was set up in December, 1995 and a Watch Agency effective November, 1996, was appointed to keep a worldwide watch for new trade mark applications for Basmati Rice or its deceptive variations.

The Watch Agency had identified a number of attempted registrations of which 15 had been successfully challenged and concluded in India's favour in the U.K., Australia, France, Spain, Chile, and UAE. The remaining cases of attempted registration were being pursued by the Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Development Agency (APEDA) in other countries.

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