Iconic OU Arts College becomes third building to get trademark in India

Hyderabad: The Arts College building of Osmania University, renowned as an architectural gem, is set to become the third building in India to be trademarked. Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace is officially the first building in India to get trademarked, followed by the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The application for a trademark for its exterior design was submitted in April this year. It has been accepted and the trademark procedure is expected to be completed within the next 4-5 months. Prof G.B. Reddy, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) OU, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) was instrumental in the application process.

Once the Arts College building is trademarked, other business or educational entities that are related to Osmania University will not be able to recreate the structure for their benefit. Others will not be allowed to use the university’s iconic structure for commercial gain without seeking permission from the university administration.

The university started its services in the rented buildings near Abids. Hyderabad’s Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan inaugurated the Arts College building on December 4, 1939. This iconic building has been an intrinsic part of Osmania University and Hyderabad’s aesthetic appeal since then. The structure was built using pinkish granite stone. It is a blend of the pillar and lintel style of Ajanta and Ellora, with arches signifying the Indo-Saracenic tradition.

The building was designed by Belgian architect Monsieur Jasper and the then chief architect Zain Yar Jung supervised the construction of the campus. It has 164 vast rooms and a plinth of 2.5 lakh square feet. Outside India, the Empire State Building in New York, the Art Deco spire of the Chrysler Building and the façade of the New York Stock Exchange are some of the earliest trademarked buildings in the world.