Trademark Registration for Khadi

• KVIC has recently secured trademark registrations in three countries – Bhutan, UAE and Mexico.
• This will help in protecting the identity of brand “Khadi” globally.
• Apart from these countries, KVIC’s trademark applications are pending in 40 countries.

What is a trademark?

• A word “trademark” can refer to both trademarks and service marks.
• A trademark can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these things that identifies any goods or services.
• It’s how customers recognize a company’s product in the marketplace and distinguish it from others.
• The mark is used for goods, while a service mark is used for services.
• A trademark:

1. Identifies the source of goods or services.
2. Prosvides legal protection for a brand. 3. Helps guard against counterfeiting and fraud.

What is Khadi?

• Khadi is a term used for fabrics that are hand-spun and handwoven, usually from cotton fiber.
• The fabric is known for its rugged texture, comfortable feel and ability to keep people warm in winter while keeping them cool during the summer.
• khadi is manufactured in two steps:

1. converting the fiber into yarn using tools like spinning wheels (Charkha) and
2. weaving the yarn into fabric using looms.

Khadi in India:

• khadi became a national movement under Gandhiji
• All India Spinners Association was launched with the intention of propagation, production and the selling of khadi in 1925.
• After independence, the movement continued, and the All India Khadi and Village Industries Board was created, which later culminated in the formation of Khadi, Village and Industries Commission.
• KVIC today is responsible for the planning, promotion, organization and implementation of programs for the development of khadi and other village industries in rural areas with the coordination of other agencies in rural development.

Khadi goes global

• With trademark registrations in three more countries – Bhutan, UAE and Mexico, number of countries where KVIC succeeded in getting registration has gone up to nine.
• Before this, the KVIC had secured trademark registrations for the word 'KHADI' in six countries namely Germany, UK, Australia, Russia, China and EU.
• On 28th june, Trademark registration was granted in UAE making it first time in a Gulf country.
• These trademark registrations will prevent any misuse of the brand name 'Khadi' globally.