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Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kolhapuri chappal gets leg-up over ‘copying' by Italian brand
Mumbai: A public interest litigation filed in Bombay high court seeks reliefs against Italian luxury fashion label Prada after it showcased open-toe leather sandals at the recent Milan Fashion Week that are "deceptively similar" to the Kolhapuri chappal. "The Kolhapuri chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and has special public sentiments attached to it. The act of copying and misrepresenting this craft in international markets effectively amounts to depriving local artisans of rightful recognition and credit for their work, who have preserved and practised this traditional art form for nearly 800 years," states the PIL filed by six advocates led by Ganesh Hingmire, an intellectual property rights expert. According to their petition, Kolhapuri chappal is protected with a geographical indication (GI). On June 22, Prada held its Spring/Summer 2026 Men's collection unveiling toe ring sandals "reportedly priced at over Rs 1 lakh per pair". There was no mention that it was Indian-inspired design. "The infringement of the design of the Kolhapuri chappal by a luxurious fashion label is without the knowledge or consent of the GI application holder or the authorised users," it adds. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai While Prada "privately accepted" its collection is "inspired by Indian artisans", this acknowledgement surfaced after widespread backlash on social media. This acknowledgement was not given to the "makers of Kolhapuri chappals, GI Registry, the govt or public at large". Prada has not issued a formal apology, and the statement appears to be a "merely superficial attempt to deflect criticism". The petition said misuse causes "dilution of the GI identity, erodes its distinctiveness and unjustly enriches the foreign brand, depriving the artisans of the right economic and reputational benefits". The PIL says: "The handicraft is the result of countless hours of meticulous labour by artisans." Thus, Prada's "unauthorised profit-oriented motive displaying sandals deceptively close to Kolhapuri chappal and inscribing the word 'PRADA' on the footwear directly undermines the livelihood and dignity of the traditional artisans and authorised users of GI". The petitioners lament that the artisan community is not financially equipped to initiate civil proceedings, does not receive adequate support from govt bodies, and lacks awareness of their community rights, leaving them vulnerable. They want "strong, decisive measures to address these violations and set an exemplary legal precedent that deters future acts of cultural misappropriation". They have prayed for restraint and a permanent injunction on Prada from "commercialising the use of so-called toe ring sandals, which is originally a GI-tagged product, Kolhapuri chappal", to direct Prada to issue a widely circulated public apology and pay compensation to artisans for "reputational and economic damages." The PIL will be heard in due course.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP to seek GI tags for 75 products this fiscal
Lucknow: UP govt will apply for GI tags for 75 products in this financial year. Uttar Pradesh also leads among states with 77 GI-tagged products and is hoping to reach the milestone of 152 GI products by March 2026. A govt spokesperson said applications for 25 products are in the process of being submitted to the GI Registry in Chennai. A GI tag identifies a product as emerging from a specific geographical location and marked by key characteristics. A GI tag, therefore, can be seen as a certificate of authenticity. In addition to increasing the number of GI tags, the official added, the state govt is taking robust measures to promote GI products, raise public awareness, and expand the base of authorised users. The MSME department is developing a detailed framework to enhance the recognition and reach of GI-tagged products across the state. "A key component of this initiative is identifying and onboarding more entrepreneurs as authorised users of GI products. These users will be officially recognised and play a vital role in promoting GI goods and encouraging wider participation among local producers. The production and marketing of GI-tagged products will catalyse entrepreneurship and awareness at the grassroots level," the official said. The MSME department is also signing an MoU with the Human Welfare Association, a renowned GI expert organisation, to strengthen this initiative further. "This partnership will be instrumental in expanding the network of authorised GI users and supporting the addition of new GI tags. The move will help safeguard the unique identity of traditional and indigenous products, protecting them from unauthorised use and imitation," the official added. He said the initiative would contribute to rural development, preservation of traditional knowledge, and increased marketing and export potential for UP's distinctive products.
