Lucknow chikan to get patented

The Uttar Pradesh Export Corporation Limited (UPECL), a state government undertaking engaged in the development and marketing of handicrafts and handloom items produced in Uttar Pradesh, is set to apply for patenting of Lucknow chikan.

Once the office of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) gives its certificate, chikan would exclusively be linked with Lucknow city.

UPECL, along with the textile committee, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has applied for the registration of chikan handicraft products under the Geographical Indication category of intellectual property rights scheme.

"UPECL has signed an MoU with the textile committee, which has filed the application of chikan handicrafts with the Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai with Controller of Patents, Designs and Trademark," Markandey Singh, managing director, UPECL, told Business Standard.

According to estimates, the total export of handicrafts last year from India accounted for Rs 17,288 crore (Rs 172.88 billion), out of which, the share of Uttar Pradesh is Rs 9,700 crore (Rs 97 billion). The state contributes about 56 per cent of the total handicraft exports of the country.

"Only 5 per cent of our total chikan produce is exported. Once it becomes our monopoly, this figure would soar," Singh added.

Geographical Indication (GIs) means an indication, which identifies goods as agricultural goods, natural goods or manufactured goods as originating or manufactured in the territory of a country or a region where a given quality is essentially attributed to its geographical origin.

"Once the patent certificate is awarded, Lucknow's chikan would enjoy monopoly in the market worldwide. Chikan craftwork would become the exclusive copyright of the city.

It would give a boost to the state's economy," Singh added. Around 100,000 artisans are engaged in chikan embroidery in and around the city of Lucknow.