As Gujarat prepares for the nine-night spectacle of Navratri, the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), operating under the state’s Department of Science & Technology, is reaching out to stakeholders to raise awareness about intellectual property (IP) rights linked to the festival.
Innovators with a flair for creativity now have a shot at securing IP rights for their Navratri contributions from costumes and choreography to event branding.
IP protection may apply to unique stage design, lighting, digital platforms, costumes, ornaments, original songs, choreography, event branding (including logos and names), and traditions specific to certain regions.
Experts from GUJCOST told a media house that Garba is a strong symbol of Gujarat’s cultural identity, and after it received UNESCO’s “intangible cultural heritage” tag in 2023, it has gained global recognition.
This year, the Patent Information Centre (PIC) under GUJCOST started exploring how intellectual property rights could apply to Garba and Navratri. Traditional dance steps are seen as cultural expressions and cannot be patented. However, experts pointed out that other elements such as stage design, musical arrangements, user experiences, and costume design could be eligible for IP protection.
Recently, several prominent figures in the Garba industry have been approached by GUJCOST to explore these opportunities and build awareness.
City-based experts pointed to recent legal disputes to highlight the importance of IP in this space. They cited a case in which a singer secured court permission to perform a well-known song, and noted that multiple litigants this year have taken legal action over Garba event names and venue branding to protect their commercial identity.
Some of the areas being explored by PIC include costume and ornament design, copyrights for songs and choreography, trademarks for event branding, and geographical indicators (GI) for location-specific traditions.
A local intellectual property lawyer noted that organising garba has become a multi-crore business, with established names in singing, event management, and music.
They said the increasing use of technology and market demand for novelty have led to imitations, potential copyright violations, and trademark disputes. However, they also observed that awareness of how to obtain IP protection remains low, and such initiatives could help protect both creative and commercial interests.
Also Read: Drop In Number Of Students Going Abroad For Studies https://www.vibesofindia.com/drop-in-number-of-students-going-abroad-for-studies/
