Pirate networks

A piece in the Hindu today about the ‘piracy menace’ presents an interesting glimpse into the informality of the networks within which ‘pirates’ operate.

“Sir, it is three-in-one,” said Rasheed, displaying about 100 DVDs in a compartment of the Mumbai–Kanyakumari Express. The the ‘three-in-one’ comprised Mammootty’s Roudram, Mohanlal’s College Kumaran and Suresh Gopi’s Sound of the Boot.

Contrary to claims made by the film industry, pirated VCDs and DVDs sell like hot cakes in the market. The piracy lobby is exploring all possible routes to boost sales. Like Rasheed, hundreds of youngsters are employed to market these DVDs in trains, bus stations and temporary outlets.

I cannot imagine Sony selling original DVDs on trains. A second class train ticket from Hyderabad to Bangalore costs just over Rs.250. By contrast, an original CD/DVD of a mainstram Hollywood film can cost between Rs. 400-600. No market analysis would ever recommend second class passengers as a target consumer group to focus on. And yet in audacious opposition to market analysis, the ‘pirates’ are making good business here.

“Malabar Monsooned” coffee from Kerala to get GI status soon

Just parking this news item from the Hindu

KOCHI: Malabar Monsooned coffee, a speciality item from the northern Kerala coast, which had conquered the palates of the western world is all set to achieve another landmark when the Geographical Indicator (GI) status would be conferred on it soon.

The Coffee Board officials have already conducted a couple of sittings and it is a matter of time before GI status is given to ‘Malabar Monsooned’ coffee, sources in Aspinwall & Co, which has a market share of nearly 50 per cent of this export commodity, told The Hindu here on Thursday.

This speciality coffee has an interesting genesis, and is cured by the unique monsoon rains of the Malabar coast. What makes it stand apart from its peers is definitive characteristics such as ‘good body, mild acidity, pleasant aroma and flavour.’

A much-sought after item in the Scandinavian countries, with a smattering of followers in Germany, the coffee has many ‘pretenders’ who copycat its qualities mainly in Italy and in the Indonesian coffee production centres.

Reading the tea leaves,

Producers in northern Kerala and the south Karnataka region mainly hope that the attainment of GI status would usher in a premium to the product that could help in withstanding the volatile fluctuations in the international coffee markets.

Malabar Monsooned has an interesting history.

During the olden days, when coffee from the Malabar coast were transported in sailing ships, the damp environment in the wooden holds of the ships significantly altered the physiological nature of the beans.

The coffee beans lost is colour and quality within the six-month period of journey in the sailing ships.

However the consumers in the West, developed a taste for the coffee that was mellow and less acidic. They started complaining about the taste when the coffee was later shipped in the good holds of the steam ships. .

© Copyright 2000 – 2008 The Hindu

‘Palakkadan matta,’ ‘Navara’ rice get Geographical Indication registration

From the Hindu

PALAKKAD: Two unique rice varieties in the district, ‘Palakkadan matta’ and the medicinal ‘Navara rice,’ have received the Geographical Indication Registry of Intellectual Property India right under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

This is the first time that two rice varieties of the State have received Geographical Indication Registry. The registry will be declared by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan at a function at Town Hall here on March 20, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

As per the certificate (No.40 dated November 20, 2007), the registration for Navara rice was obtained by the Navara Rice Farmers Society, Karukamanikalam, near Chittur. The certificate of registry issued by V. Ravi, Registrar of Geographical Indications, Chennai, says “the Navara Rice Farmers Society, Chittur, Kerala, is the registered proprietor of G.I. Navara Rice.”

Two varieties of Navara, the medicinal rice used in Ayurveda treatment, have secured registration. They are: black glumed and golden yellow glumed Navara rice varieties, which are cultivated in parts of Palakkad district.

The popular rice variety of ‘Palakkadan matta’ has also secured registration. Palakkad Matta Farmers Producer Company Ltd. has become the registered proprietor of the G.I. Palakkad matta rice.

Under the registry, there are 10 varieties of Palakkadan matta, which will now be considered as the popular Palakkadan matta rice variety. They are: Aryan, Aruvakkari, Chitteni, Chenkazhama, Chettadi, Thavalakanna, Eruppu, Poochamban, Vattan Jyothy, and Kunjukunj. The Palakkaddan matta is described as bold red rice with a unique taste because of its special geographical area and peculiar weather of Eastern wind. Only these 10 rice varieties cultivated in Palakkad will be considered as ‘Palakkadan matta.’ However, more rice varieties with matta properties cultivated in Palakkad can be added to this list after detailed examinations, Narayanan Unni of Palakkadan Matta Farmers Producer Company Ltd said.

He said after getting the registration, matta rice produced outside Palakkad cannot be marketed as ‘Palakkadan matta.’

Likewise, the organically cultivated Navara rice also can be grown only by farmers of Palakkad after getting its registry by the Navara Rice Farmers Society, Chittur.

Thus the registry will help both the farmers and the consumers. The consumer can now get genuine products of Palakkadan Matta and the medicinal Navara rice.

© Copyright 2000 – 2008 The Hindu