NGO Awaaz files suit to save self from ‘copy cat’

Mumbai: Awaaz Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that has been involved in ensuring that noise pollution norms do not get violated during festivals, has filed a commercial suit against an organisation from Navi Mumbai that is calling itself ‘Awaaj Foundation’. The latter organisation is undertaking various social activities different from what the Awaaz Foundation pursues.

The foundation has prayed that the other organisation should be restrained from using the name as it takes up not only issues related to noise pollution but also illegal sand mining that is prevalent in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Konkan region.

Speaking about the commercial suit filed in the Bombay high court, Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation, said that the suit challenged the violation of its intellectual property rights safeguarded under the Trademarks Act.

The name Awaaj Foundation was very similar and hence created a lot of confusion among the people, she said. “Though ours is a NGO and (we) are not involved in any commercial activities, as trademarks come under the purview of commercial suits we had no option but to file it under it,” said Ms Abdulali.

She added that she had written to various authorities, including the chief minister, that starting of an NGO with an almost identical name was unethical but had been advised by her legal team to file a suit. While the suit was listed for hearing in front of Justice K.K. Tated on Monday, due to paucity of time the matter could not be heard and will be listed again.

Speaking about the suit, Rajeev Mishra, convenor of Awaaj Foundation, said, “I have not flouted any rules under the Mumbai Charitable Trust act and as both our organisations are in different divisions, mine was registered. Our NGO works to highlight the misuse of government schemes, We will contest the suit on these grounds”.