IT associations seek clarity on international warranty

The recent government directive to the Customs officials pertaining to import of goods protected by patent or trademarks are permitted even without authorization of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) holder has not only boosted the morale of parallel importers, but it has united many IT traders and associations to form an umbrella body of all IT associations. However, another pain area which surfaced for most of the IT associations is clarity on international warranty.

Taking a lead on this, Delhi based All Delhi Computer Traders Association (ADCTA) has decided to take up the international warranty issue on a large scale. Mahindar Aggarwal, president, ADCTA, said, "The international warranty issue is a major concern for traders, importers, and customers."

Meanwhile, the association is also seeking other IT associations' support to form a strong nation-wide IT association. Shyam Modi, chairman, ADCTA said, "We have been receiving overwhelming response from various IT associations and traders from across India. We request all the associations to come forward and work as a single unit."

In fact, many traders have supported ADCTA for its stand on behalf of all India channel partners against MNCs. Chennai based Rajendra Mootha, proprietor, Excellent Computers said, "The current problem area to be looked at is providing warranty in India on the imported products bought from outside India. Vendors should provide warranty in India as they are the products of the original firm and they must provide warranty wherever they are present. Whether the product is bought from India or outside must be secondary."

According to Gujarat based Amit Tanna, partner, Softcom, Gujarat, "Importers do the dirtiest work for a brand and that also for free, invest money, take risk, sell lower then market and give 1 year warranty, I think if the vendor can not pay us for that service, they should at least be thank full."

Some low profile associations have also came forward and extended their support on this whole issue. Ranjan Samant, on behalf of Kumaon IT Traders Association extended full support to ADCTA. Similarly, Gurpreet Singh, general secretary of Ludhiana Association of Computer Entrepreneur called for a single platform to fight for the protection of channel partners rights.

Welcoming government's clarification on parallel imports issue, Ajmer based Shalabh Agarwal of Symbiosis Computer Visions added, "Parallel imports is a very legal way to compel MNCs to reduce their prices in India. Not only this, these vendors should be compelled to offer warranty on products bought outside India and brought inside India either by consumers or traders."

He also suggested that the association should take the lead in taking the companies to court for refusal of warranty even when the original product was bought outside India with the understanding of warranty only in that country. A PIL or something ought to be filed to teach these companies a lesson.

"There should be proper communication and clarity on warranty of products sold directly, imported or distributed through company authorized channel in India. Because without having clarity on these the end-customer will feel cheated if direct imported items are not supported by respective vendors," asserted, Kailash Gupta president, RCTA.