India wins law suit against basmati clones

In the first-ever victory of its kind, India has won an international law suit against the US commodity trading firm, Rice Tec, which had filed for registration of the Texmati, Kasmati and Jasmati trademarks on rice varieties claimed to be analogous to the basmati varieties grown here. The decision of the statutory Trademark Administrative Committee (TAG) in Greece to reject these three trademarks comes as a shot in the arm for Indian rice exporters who have been vociferously protesting against foreign firms attempting to encroach on the basmati market worldwide through the introduction of basmati analogues or clones.

5% tax on Custom House, steamer agents’ services

The Government has decided to levy a 5 per cent tax on the gross charges for services rendered by Custom House Agents (CHA) and steamer agents with effect from June 15. An official release here stated that while the levy and collection will be enforced by the Central Excise Commissionerates within their jurisdiction, the CHA or the steamer agent will be responsible for the collection of service tax. The values of the taxable services in the case of CHAs will be only the service and attendancy charges or fee, or commission charged to the customer.

Daler Mehendi plays Diplomat-ic tune for McDowell

Reigning Indian pop-bhangra star Daler Mehendi, who has the nation swinging to his ‘Bolo tara ra ra’ tune, is on a 10-city whistle-stop tour of the country these days. His mission? Lending his fun-filled personality and creating brand equity for the UB group’s McDowell Diplomat brand which has seen stagnating sales recently. Daler has been roped in for a year- long contract.