Provided that the court may, for adequate and special reason to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than one year or a fine of less than one lakh rupees:
Provided further that for the purposes of this section, no cognizance shall be taken of any conviction made before the commencement of this Act.
Penalty for falsely representing a geographical indication as registered.42. (1) No person shall make any representation—
(a) with respect to a geographical indication, not being a registered geographical indication, to the effect that it is a registered geographical indication; or
(b) to the effect that a registered geographical indication is registered in respect of any goods in respect of which it is not in fact registered; or
(c) to the effect that registration of a geographical indication gives an exclusive right to the use thereof in any circumstances in which having regard to limitation entered on the register, the registration does not in fact give that right.
(2) If any person contravenes any of the provisions of sub—section (1), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
(3) For the purposes of this section the use in India in relation to a geographical indication of the words “registered geographical indication” or any other expression, symbol or sign like “R.G.I.” referring whether expressly or impliedly to registration, shall be deemed to import a reference to registration in the register, except—
(a) where that word or other expression, symbol or sign is used in direct association with other words delineated in characters at least as large as those in which that word or other expression, symbol or sign is delineated and indicating that the reference to registration as a geographical indication under the law of a country outside India being a country under the law of which the registration referred to is in fact in force; or
(b) where that other expression, symbol or sign is of itself such as to indicate that the reference is to such registration as is mentioned in clause (a); or
(c) where that word is used in relation to a geographical indication registered under the law of a country outside India and in relation solely to goods to be exported to that country for use in that country.
Penalty for improperly describing a place of business as connected with the Geographical Indications Registry.43. If any person uses on his place of business, or on any document issued by him, or otherwise, words which would reasonably lead to the belief that his place of business describing is, or is officially connected with, the Geographical Indications Registry, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or connected with with both.
Penalty for falsification of entries in the register.44. If any person makes, or causes to be made, a false entry in the register, or a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of an entry in the register, or produces or tenders or causes to be produced or tendered, in evidence any such writing, knowing the entry or writing to be false, be shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
No offence in certain cases.45. The provisions of sections 39, 40 and 41 shall in relation to a registered geographical indication or authorised user of such geographical indication, be subject to the rights created or recognised by this Act and no act or omission shall be deemed to be an offence under the aforesaid sections if,—
(a) the alleged offence relates to a registered geographical indication and the act or omission is permitted under this Act; and
