India objects to German company’s usage of ‘khadi’ trademark

The Indian government has raised objections against Germany's Khadi Naturprodukte over the usage of ‘khadi’ trademark. The handspun fabric is considered a centerpiece of India's freedom struggle by Mahatma Gandhi. The government has objected to the German company's attempt to use the khadi trademark for selling a range of Indian-origin products, including shampoos, soaps and oils in European markets.

The Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), an arm of the ministry of micro, small & medium enterprises, has demanded cancellation of the trademark given to the company by Belgium-headquartered Office for Harmonization in Internal Markets, an organisation responsible for trademark and design registration in the EU. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has asked KVIC to register the khadi brand for its range of products in the US and the EU.

KVIC was granted export promotion council status after it has been trying to establish its footprint in the foreign markets over the last few years. Problems could arise because of the fact that within India over 80 trademarks have been granted by India's trademark office to different products and not only to the same organization and an application for granting status of 'geographical indication' or GI to khadi in India is also pending.