Latest news with #GeographicalIndicationsofGoods(RegistrationandProtection)Act
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC rejects plea against Prada
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against Prada in the case of alleged copying of Kolhapuri Chappal design. The court said that as per the Geographical Indications law , the affected parties (the producers associations) should have come forward to defend their case. Kolhapuri chappal is a GI products under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. Five lawyers had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court demanding that the Italian fashion house Prada should pay monetary compensation to the artisans making Kolhapuri chappals. Prada had presented a toe ring sandal collection at Milan that was allegedly inspired by India's Kolhapuri Chappal. The court told the five lawyers that the registered owners of the GI product should come to the court seek redressal. However, the GI for Kolhauri Chappal was awarded to the jointly two government agencies of Maharashtra and Karnataka and not to the manufacturers' associations like in case of many other GI products. These agencies have not approached the courts to defend their GI rights. Instead of taking the legal course, industry body Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture is looking to work with Prada to help local artisans.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Bombay High Court Dismisses Plea Against Prada; Questions "Locus" Of Petitioners
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the famous Kolhapuri chappals. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the "locus" and statutory right of the five advocates who had filed the PIL, saying they were not the aggrieved persons or the registered proprietor or owner of the footwear. "You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is your locus and what is the public interest? Any person aggrieved can file a suit. What is the public interest in this," the court asked. The plea had said the Kolhapuri chappal (sandals) is protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. The bench then said that the registered proprietor of the GI Tag can come to court and espouse their own action. The court dismissed the plea and said it would pass a detailed order later. In their spring/summer collection, Prada showcased their 'toe-ring sandals', which the petition said are deceptively similar to the Kolhapuri chappals. These sandals are priced at Rs 1 lakh per pair.
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HC dismisses PIL against Prada for unauthorised use of Kolhapuri chappal
A Bombay High Court bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the legal standing and statutory right of the five advocates who filed the PIL Swati Gandhi New Delhi The Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against fashion brand Prada on Wednesday for its alleged unauthorised use of Kolhapuri chappals. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the legal standing and statutory right of the five advocates who filed the PIL, arguing that they were neither affected by the issue directly nor the registered proprietors or owners of the footwear, PTI reported. The court noted, 'You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is your locus, and what is the public interest? Any person aggrieved can file a suit. What is the public interest in this?' The plea filed by five advocates states that the famous Kolhapuri chappal is protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. The Bombay High Court then informed the advocates that the registered proprietor of the GI Tag can come to court and seek an action. Kolhapuri chappal row Prada, an Italian fashion house, showcased their toe-ring sandals as part of their summer/spring collection. The toe-ring sandals are similar to the famous Kolhapuri chappals and have been priced at ₹1.2 lakh per pair. Another PIL was filed earlier in July by Intellectual Property Rights advocate Ganesh S Hingmire, alleging that the footwear showcased in Milan Fashion week constituted cultural misappropriation and unauthorised use of a GI-tagged product. The PIL mentioned, 'The Kolhapuri chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and has special public sentiments attached with it. The brand has privately accepted that its collection is 'inspired by Indian artisans', however, this acknowledgement surfaced only after facing widespread backlash... The brand has not yet issued any formal apology along with any damages, compensation, and entitled remedy, and the statement appears to be merely a superficial attempt to deflect criticism.' Prada team reaches Kolhapur After facing severe backlash online, a Prada team reached Kolhapur in Maharashtra to engage with the local artisans, Mint reported. The visiting team included Andrea Boscaro, director of collection development for Prada and Miu Miu footwear; Paolo Tiveron, head of the men's technical and production department; and Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager. All three are from Prada's footwear division. External consultants Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli are also part of the delegation. Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), said that the team is visiting for two days. He said, 'The technical team will evaluate the process of making Kolhapuri chappals, share their experience, and outline expectations as per Prada's requirements. They will also visit artisan clusters involved in traditional footwear making.' The visit by Prada executives came after a virtual meeting was held between MACCIA and Prada to discuss concerns raised over the collection shown in Milan. The Italian fashion brand Prada, in its meeting with MACCIA, expressed its interest in launching a limited-edition, made-in-India Kolhapuri-inspired line in collaboration with local craftsmen.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kolhapuri chappal row: Bombay HC dismisses PIL against Prada; questions petitioners' right to sue
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the famous Kolhapuri chappals(sandals). A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the 'locus' and statutory right of the five advocates who had filed the PIL, saying they were not the aggrieved persons or the registered proprietor or owner of the footwear. 'You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is your locus and what is the public interest? Any person aggrieved can file a suit. What is the public interest in this,' the court asked. The plea had said the Kolhapuri chappal (sandals) is protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. The bench then said that the registered proprietor of the GI Tag can come to court and espouse their own action. The court dismissed the plea and said it would pass a detailed order later. Also read | Meet the real artisans behind India's iconic Kolhapuri chappals — now in the global spotlight In their spring/summer collection, Prada showcased their 'toe-ring sandals', which the petition said are deceptively similar to the Kolhapuri chappals. These sandals are priced at ₹1 lakh per pair.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kolhapuri chappal row: Bombay HC dismisses PIL against Prada; questions petitioners' right to sue
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the famous Kolhapuri chappals. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the 'locus' and statutory right of the five advocates who had filed the PIL, saying they were not the aggrieved persons or the registered proprietor or owner of the footwear. 'You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is your locus and what is the public interest? Any person aggrieved can file a suit. What is the public interest in this,' the court asked. The plea had said the Kolhapuri chappal (sandals) is protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. The bench then said that the registered proprietor of the GI Tag can come to court and espouse their own action. The court dismissed the plea and said it would pass a detailed order later. In their spring/summer collection, Prada showcased their toe-ring sandals', which the petition said are deceptively similar to the Kolhapuri chappals. These sandals are priced at Rs 1 lakh per pair.
