The blue and white sari famously worn by recently canonised nun Mother Teresa has been trademarked to protect her reputation.
The design of the cotton garment is now the intellectual property of the Missionaries of Charity, which was founded by Saint Teresa of Kolkata ? as she is now known ? over 70 years ago.
The trademark was granted last year after Biswajit Sarkar, a pro bono lawyer for the order, filed for exclusive rights to the design along with the name Mother Teresa in 2013.
According to the Guardian, he pursued the cause to combat "misuse" of the saint's reputation, after institutions named after ? but not affiliated with ? her order began receiving criticism from staff over late pay.
"There are many organisations starting schools naming themselves after Mother Teresa, and wearing the uniform, where the Missionaries of Charity have no connection," Sarkar said. He added that the design was being used for commercial gain, including for religious book covers patterned with the stripes to give the impression that they are endorsed by the order.
The lawyer is now poised to take "severe" legal action against unauthorised use, including that by other charitable organisations.
"Even the nuns were asking me, if the people are not using it for commercial gains, should we stop them"" he said.
"But whether it is for commercial gain or not is not the issue. We are thinking about our identity. If the blue pattern, which is uniqu...