The Indian Army now owns the exclusive intellectual property rights (IPR) to the enhanced combat uniform’s new design and camouflage pattern. The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks, Kolkata, has finished the registration procedure for the new camouflage pattern and design, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
On January 15, 2022, the Indian Army’s new digital pattern combat uniform was presented (Army Day). The new uniform features a more modern appearance and a more utilitarian design.
“The fabric is lighter, stronger, breathable, rapid drying, and easy to care for.” “The incorporation of gender specific changes for women’s combat uniform demonstrates the uniform’s originality,” the defence ministry said.
The Indian Army now owns the unique IPR to the design and camouflage pattern, hence production by any vendor who is not authorised to do so is illegal and may result in legal ramifications.
The Indian Army can enforce exclusive rights to the design by filing infringement cases in a competent court of law. Infringement remedies include interim and permanent injunctions, as well as monetary damages.
A total of 50,000 sets have already been procured through Canteen Stores Department (CSD) and delivered to 15 CSD Depots as part of the process of introducing the new pattern uniform (Delhi, Leh, BD Bari, Srinagar, Udhampur, Andaman & Nicobar, Jabalpur, Masimpur, Narangi, Dimapur, Bagdogra, Lucknow, Ambala, Mumbai and Khadki).
Workshops are being organised in collaboration with teachers from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi to train civil and military tailors in stitching the new uniform according to the prescribed pattern.
Bulk procurement of 11.70 lakh sets for issue to JCOs and OR as part of individual kit (Life Cycle Concept with a life of 15 months) is currently underway and is expected to begin in August 2023.