Bombay HC junks PIL towards Prada on Kolhapuri sandals

Pune: The Bombay Excessive Courtroom on Wednesday dismissed a Public Curiosity Litigation (PIL) filed towards Prada. The PIL involved the alleged copying of the Kolhapuri Chappal design. The courtroom acknowledged that, underneath Geographical Indications (GI) legislation, the affected events – particularly the producers' associations – ought to have come ahead to defend their case.

The Kolhapuri chappal is a GI product registered underneath the Geographical Indications of Items (Registration and Safety) Act.

5 legal professionals had filed the PIL, demanding that Italian style home Prada compensate the artisans who make Kolhapuri chappals.
The courtroom knowledgeable the legal professionals that the registered homeowners of the GI product ought to be those searching for redressal. Nonetheless, the GI for Kolhapuri Chappal was awarded collectively to 2 authorities companies in Maharashtra and Karnataka, to not producers' associations, not like many different GI merchandise. These companies haven't approached the courts to defend their GI rights.

As an alternative of pursuing authorized motion, the business physique Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Trade and Agriculture (MACCIA), which had initially written to Prada, is now seeking to work collectively with the model to assist native artisans.