The Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, has said that it has not committed any illegality by registering Tirupati laddus as a Geographical Indication (GI). The registration did nothing to damage the country’s secular image.
In his counter to a public interest litigation petition challenging the grant of G.I. registration for the laddus, filed through the Assistant Solicitor-General of India, J.Ravindran, the Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks and G.I., G.L.Verma, said no person had filed any opposition for registration of the G.I nor till now rectification proceedings had been initiated by any aggrieved person to expunge the marks. Any person aggrieved by the registration could file rectification application for cancellation of the registered G.I.
The G.I. Registry in its wisdom had rightly allowed the registration after proper examination by an expert group. The registry had not committed any illegality in the registration as alleged by the petitioner.
In his petition, J.Mohanraj of Mylapore had said the G.I. registration for the laddus could not have been done in view of section 9 (d) of the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act.
