New Delhi: The Indian Army has registered the intellectual property rights of its new design and camouflage pattern uniform on Thursday.
After the registration the exclusive intellectual property rights (IPR) of the design and camouflage pattern now rests solely with the Indian Army, and therefore, manufacturing by any vendor who is not authorized to do so will be illegal and is liable to face legal repercussions, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
“The process for registration of the new camouflage pattern and design of improved combat uniform to establish ownership of the Indian Army has been completed by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademark, Kolkata,” the statement said.
The registration has been published in the official journal of the Patent Office dated October 21. The new digital pattern combat uniform for Army soldiers was unveiled on January 15, Army Day.
The new improved uniform has a contemporary look and functional design. The fabric has been made lighter, stronger, breathable, quick drying and easier to maintain. The uniform’s uniqueness is evident with the inclusion of gender specific modifications for women’s combat uniform, the statement said.
The Indian Army can enforce exclusive rights to the design and file infringement suits by way of a civil action before a competent court of law. Remedies against infringements include interim and permanent injunctions as well as damages, the statement said.
The statement said “As part of the process of introduction of the new pattern uniform, a total of 50,000 sets have already been procured through Canteen Stores Department (CSD) and delivered to 15 CSD depots (Delhi, Leh, BD Bari, Srinagar, Udhampur, Andaman & Nicobar, Jabalpur, Masimpur, Narangi, Dimapur, Bagdogra, Lucknow, Ambala, Mumbai and Khadki),”.
Workshops are being conducted to train civil and military tailors in stitching the new uniform as per the specified design in coordination with instructors from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at Delhi.
The statement said “Bulk procurement of 11.70 lakh sets to cater for issue to JCOs and OR as part of individual kit (Life Cycle Concept with life of 15 months) is in progress and is likely to commence from August 2023,”.
