New Delhi, Feb 2: The name Veda, which symbolises knowledge, heritage and much more to Indians, has been appropriated by a German firm which has obtained trademark rights over it. The firm, Veda GMBH of Germany, involved in development of computer software has obtained exclusive rights over the name, albeit for its computer products and registered it in many countries. Coming barely months after another German firm patented "vaastu", the art of aesthetic architecture of ancient India, this development means one more loss for the country of one of its ancient possessions. The matter came to light following a dispute before the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) over a web address www.veda.com, registered by a UK national, Nicholas Silverstone. The claim succeeded but not before the administrative panel, which decided the case, reminded Veda GMBH that "almost a billion of Hindus would dispute that the name of their sacred scripture (Veda or the Vedas) has been created by a German company". The observation came on the firm`s contention that `Veda` was a self-created word.

Veda GMBH had approached the WIPO arbitration and mediation centre in November last, claiming to be owner of the trademark "Veda", registered in several countries for computer software and computer-related services.


Bureau Report