Only LIDCOM, LIDKAR hold legal ownership of Kolhapuri chappal GI tag, say state corporations

It was pointed out that leather sandals worn by a model during the show bore striking resemblance to the traditional Kolhapuri chappal — an iconic handcrafted footwear style originating from Maharashtra and Karnataka, and protected under India’s GI Act.

In response to the alleged imitation, a group of lawyers had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court, accusing Prada of violating the intellectual property associated with the GI tag.

However, in an order dated July 16, 2025, the court dismissed the petition, ruling that only the registered holders of the GI tag — in this case, LIDCOM and LIDKAR — have the legal standing to initiate civil proceedings in such matters.

In a joint press release issued after the verdict, LIDCOM Managing Director Prerna Deshbhatar and LIDKAR Managing Director K M Vasundhara stated that neither individuals nor organisations other than the two corporations have the authority to engage in any legal communication, representation, or dialogue with international entities such as Prada regarding the Kolhapuri chappal.

“The GI tag is not merely a legal certificate — it represents centuries of tradition and craftsmanship,” the release stated. “Our objective is not only to protect this geographic identity but also to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of thousands of local leather artisans who carry forward this legacy.”