MILKFED's plans to explore US mkts hit patent block
Failure to patent its popular milk products brand 'Verka' has cut short Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producer's Federation (MILKFED) plans to explore the Canadian and US markets.
By PTI |
CHANDIGARH: Failure to patent its popular milk products brand 'Verka' has cut short Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producer's Federation (MILKFED) plans to explore the Canadian and US markets.
A namesake brand has been patented in the US by NRI Kulwinder Dhillon-owned Quality Products Inc, which sells paneer, ghee and dahi in the States. These products bear the 'Real California' seal and status of approval from the US Health Department, the company website states.
"Nobody paid any attention to the export prospects for the 'Verka' range of products," MILKFED's Managing Director V K Singh said while admitting that now it would be impossible to export and market products under the brand in view of patent restrictions in the US and Canada.
However, Singh said that the cooperative was considering an alternative strategy under which it would sign revenue- sharing agreements with firms or individuals in the US and Canada. "We have approached with offers," he added.
MILKFED officials said the cooperative lacks financial resources to engage in long legal battles to regain patent rights abroad.
Some Punjab NRIs settled in the US and Canada has come to the rescue and has offered to fight the case on MILKFED's behalf, in lieu of distribution rights of Verka products.
Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh assured that the MILKFED was in the process of protecting its right. "Our aim is to protect our brand," he added.
MILKFED presently exports more than 1,100 tonnes of desi ghee worth Rs 14 crore mostly to the Middle East.
It had earned a turnover of Rs 800 crore in 2006-07 and is targeting a 15 per cent growth this fiscal.
A namesake brand has been patented in the US by NRI Kulwinder Dhillon-owned Quality Products Inc, which sells paneer, ghee and dahi in the States. These products bear the 'Real California' seal and status of approval from the US Health Department, the company website states.
"Nobody paid any attention to the export prospects for the 'Verka' range of products," MILKFED's Managing Director V K Singh said while admitting that now it would be impossible to export and market products under the brand in view of patent restrictions in the US and Canada.
However, Singh said that the cooperative was considering an alternative strategy under which it would sign revenue- sharing agreements with firms or individuals in the US and Canada. "We have approached with offers," he added.
MILKFED officials said the cooperative lacks financial resources to engage in long legal battles to regain patent rights abroad.
Some Punjab NRIs settled in the US and Canada has come to the rescue and has offered to fight the case on MILKFED's behalf, in lieu of distribution rights of Verka products.
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Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh assured that the MILKFED was in the process of protecting its right. "Our aim is to protect our brand," he added.
MILKFED presently exports more than 1,100 tonnes of desi ghee worth Rs 14 crore mostly to the Middle East.
It had earned a turnover of Rs 800 crore in 2006-07 and is targeting a 15 per cent growth this fiscal.
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