India's Lok Sabha (Lower House) Wednesday approved by a voice vote the Trade Marks Bill, 1999, seeking to make offenses cognizable and incorporate provisions in tune with developments around the world.

The bill, to replace the four-decade-old Trade and Merchandise Act, was passed by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) on December 16.

Commerce and Industry Minister Murasoli Maran said with the help of the new act the government would strengthen trade mark regulations in the country and clear backlog of trade mark requests.