Shree Jagannath Temple Secures IP Protection For Three More Names

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has secured intellectual property protection for three more distinctive names associated with the 12th-century shrine, in a move aimed at safeguarding its unique religious and cultural heritage from unauthorised commercial use. SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee said protection has been secured for 'Shree Mandira' under Classes 19 and 45, 'Ratna Bhandar' under Classes 14 and 45, and 'Shree Nahar' under Class 19. The applications for the three names have been accepted for publication by the Trade Marks Registry. This is the third phase of the temple administration's trademark protection initiative. In the first phase, 'Ananda Bajara', 'Patitapabana' and the Nilachakra logo received approval, while five other applications, including 'Jagannath Dham', 'Shree Kshetra', 'Mahaprasada', 'Nilachakra' and 'Koili Vaikuntha', were accepted for publication in the second phase. 'We wish to protect the unique spiritual, cultural and institutional heritage associated with Shree Jagannatha Temple and prevent unauthorised or inappropriate commercial use of names and identities closely connected to the Shree Mandira,' Padhee said. He said the SJTA would continue its efforts to secure protection for the remaining names and identities associated with the shrine. The temple administration has so far filed 29 applications before the Trade Marks Registry.