Sir,
I am writing this letter to dispel certain misconceptions in the minds
of exporters, scientists and the media that export of black pepper,
its oleoresins and its active principle piperine will be affected because
of a new application patent held by Sabinsa Corporation, New Jersey,
USA (IE, March 12).
Our
patent is specific to the use of piperine in order to enhance the bio
availability of nutritional compounds like vitamins, amino acids and
minerals. Ours is not a product patent but is only for a specific and
new unreported use of piperine. We have already made it clear to the
Spices Board and the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce, that
" we cannot and do not intend to stop the exports of black pepper
and piperine from India" because of our patent on its new and hitherto
unknown application. There is no implied or otherwise restriction on
export of black pepper, its oleoresins and piperine from India because
of Sabinsas usage patent.
There
has also been confusion about a CSIR drug being sold in
the US on the sly using the name given to it by its developer in India.
This is wrong. The name Picroliv was assinged to us as a registered
trade mark by the US Trade Mark and Patent office dated June 16, 1992
as per our search in good faith and to no one else. The plant Picorhiza
Kurroa has been used for hundreds of years in Ayurveda.
This
knowledge is in the public domain by way of published literature. The
product has been marketed in the US and many other countries for many
years now making use of not only the India Picorhiza Kurroa but also
that of Chinese origin. The product is not patentable because of its
known and prior use in Ayurveda.
Dr. Muhammed Majeed
President and CEO
Sabinsa Corporation
USA.