Havell trademark transfer needs to be done sooner: IIAS

Havells India, on January 7, announced that one of its promoters QRG Enterprises has agreed to transfer Havells' brand name and trade mark to itself without any consideration, post March 2016. March 2016 is when QRG Enterprises and Havells India’s licensing agreement expires.

This announcement lead to a 3% rise in the stock on January 7, as the development is likely to improve the company’s bottom-line.

IIAS, however, is of the opinion that QRG should have transferred the brand name and trade mark immediately. It also says that QRG should stop charging royalty to promoters from the end of the current financial year itself.

Havells India has already paid about 1% of net sales as the trade mark fee to QRG Enterprises for using the 'Havells' brand since 2008. The large advertising and promotion cost though was incurred by the listed company itself. For instance, for FY12 alone, these expenses of Rs 1121 million amounted to 24% of the company's EBITDA.

"It is heartening to see Indian Companies taking cues to improve governance standards. In another instance recently, a Software and IT Services Company took shareholders' approval for payment of royalty/ brand fees to promoter company, although it is not mandatory as per current regulations. We see these initiatives as a positive step towards developing the corporate governance scene in India" said R Jayakumar, Executive Director, IIAS.