How well are India’s protected products protected?

The use of a traditional Prada Indian sandal design has caused disruption to Indian social media. While the style of sandals is protected by the rules of the World Trade Organization as a geographical indication, the Italian fashion house did not really break rules, presenting a plan inspired by Kolhapuri Chappal during Milan Fashion Week in June. However, the moral effects are still abundant if he saw Prada struggling to calm a whole subcontinent.

The Kolhapuri Chappal has a strap over the arch of the foot and one around the big finger, both connected to another thin belt. While Prada’s design also presented traditional skins and decorations, the company did not name Kolhapuri Chappal’s shoe, nor still plans to commercialize the Haute Couture element. According to GI rules, shoes called Kolhapuri Chappal can only come from predetermined areas in Indian states Maharashtra and Karnataka, where footwear has been shown to have long traditional history and can therefore carry a protective definition of quality.

Prada in a statement acknowledged that the design of the Sandalos was inspired by Indian traditional footwear from the aforementioned areas, which According to the New York Times It is also allowed in accordance with WTO rules. The company said it was open to a “substantial exchange” with Indian craftsmen, showing not only how many words about cultural credit and acceptance of the credited credit has reached Indian mainstream, but also the way in which world companies are used to taking them seriously. However, the geographical names defined by the WTO do not prove very widely, which are significantly weaker than the trademark companies they can acquire.

Geographical indications are common all over the world, with the the most well -known examples Like Parmesan cheese, Parma ham or champagne from the French area of ​​Sampania welcomed by Europe. However, India has also protected some of its culturally important products using this system. Specifically, traditional handicrafts are largely characterized by the protected names of India in addition to food.

Parmesan and Kolhapuri Chappal

The most well -known internationally are probably the Indian GI labels for Darjeeling tea by the state of Western Bengal and Basmati by various northern Indian states. The latter has another issue that is often associated with geographical indications – distributes. Pakistan also claims the traditional cultivation of Basmati rice in its areas where neighboring Indians and has applied for a GI label. This basmati rice is traditionally derived from India and Pakistan has already been recognized Some jurisdictions such as New Zealand and Australia.

India also protects various types of mango, including Banganapalle Mango from the state of man Pradesh, as well as from the onion of Lasalgaon from Maharashtra, the Khola Chili from Goa and Nilambur Teak from Kerala. Has given Tags gi In grape varieties, strawberries, beans and pomegranates. In terms of crafts and textiles, Silk and its products are protected in several Indian regions, for example Muga Silk from Assam, Uppada Jamdani Sarees by Andhra Pradesh or Banarasi Sarees from Uttar Pradesh. But Pashmina Shawls from Jamos & Kashmir/Ladak, Gujarat Kutch Embroidery, Chendamanglam Dhoties from Kerala and Madhur Kathi Mats from Western Bengal also fall into this category. The most unusual GI labels include Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul lock, referring to traditional handmade locks from the city of Dindigul, as well as the GOA Feni spirit of Cassius or Coconut apples.

Recorded by Statistical