Did you know the Auroville name and symbol are legally protected?

In 2000, a special protection of the name and symbol of Auroville was sought and granted under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper use) Act 1950. This is the same Act that protects the national flag of India, the image (picture) of Mahatma Gandhi, etc. A number of business ventures, running on a not-for-profit basis with the aim of generating revenue for the development of the Auroville Township’s objectives are functioning under the Auroville Foundation, a unique body created in 1988 by an Act of Parliament that vigilantly oversees the experiment. It needs to be clearly stated here that any person/entity using the name or emblem of “Auroville” who are not a registered unit of the said Foundation shall therefore end up passing off their goods or services as those manufactured, distributed or provided by the Foundation. Legal action will be taken against any such improper usage.

Issues that arise regarding the Name and Symbol of Auroville are taken up first of all by the Name and Symbol of Auroville Protection Group (NPG), and in many cases, the issues can be resolved without legal action. Only in certain cases where legal action is unavoidable, the NPG will refer the issue to the Working Committee.

We, the Working Committee of the Residents' Assembly of the Auroville Foundation, hereby authorize the Auroville Name and Symbol Protection Group constituted by us, to do all the necessary to protect the name and symbol of Auroville in accordance with the Emblems And Names (Prevention Of Improper Use) Act, 1950 [Act No. 12 of 1950]. This authorisation includes contacting and interacting with persons and organisations and initiating legal action as deemed necessary.

Name and Symbol of Auroville Protection Group