At least one dispute between India and Pakistan has – hopefully – been settled: the Kashmiri Pashmina.
A Srinagar-based crafts association has been given the Geographical Indicator status for Kashmiri Pashmina. The Geographical Indication (GI) registry has overruled Pakistan’s objections that Pashmina shawls are also woven in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and should be included in the patent.
In August 2006, the Crafts Development Institute based in Srinagar filed an application with the GI patent registry for a location-specific patent for Kashmir Pashmina, or Cashmere, as it is known in the West. In September this year, the registry rejected Pakistan’s case and granted GI status to Kashmir Pashmina. Kashmiri Pashmina and Kanni shawls will now have their own distinctive logos on labels.
“All fine wool is no longer Pashmina. Only yarn and products made from the Pashmina goat and in the Kashmir valley can now lay claim to the name,” says a report in Mint.
Previously in AW: Kashmir’s Pashmina goats dying of cold
November 1, 2008 at 3:20 |
[...] On whether India would consider a joint patent, Srinagar’s Craft Development Institute Director MS Farooqi said: “A joint GI is possible only if it is proven that Pakistani Pashmina is the same wool as our. The finest Pashmina is found only in the Srinagar Valley.” [...]