A number of companies have been advised not to use terms such as ‘handwoven’ and ‘handspun’ without getting prior approval from Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in order to protect the Khadi trademark.
Khadi wants companies to seek prior approval and pay a certain amount to use ‘Khadi’ mark to describe their products. As it goes, the move has been opposed by the industry. “Khadi is handwoven, Khadi is handspun and Khadi is also woven in handloom,” said KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The move is aimed to deal with those organisations that cheat customers by using words- handwoven, handspun, and woven in handloom.
Indian Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in the past alleged that the country’s leading ethnic retailer, Fabindia is marketing its factory-made products under the appearance of Khadi. The Indian Khadi body filed a case in this regard at the Bombay High Court, seeking damages of Rs. 525 crore. Reportedly, KVIC asked Fabindia to compensate for the loss suffered, as the ethnic retailer used ‘Khadi’ trademark to sell its products.
KVIC chairman earlier stated that the authority has been constantly looking to promote and protect the reputation of the organisation and that it would always take strict actions against those who try to violate the rules that are set for the betterment of the rural craftsmen.
