The High Court on Wednesday raised questions about the statutory authority of the petitioners to file a petition alleging that Italian fashion brand Prada has copied Kolhapuri slippers. The court also dismissed the petition against 'Prada', stating that the petitioners are not the registered owners of Kolhapuri slippers and have not suffered any damage.
The petitioner had alleged that Prada had introduced products in the market under the name 'Toe Ring Sandals', imitating 'Kolhapuri Chappals', and priced these sandals at INR 1 lakh per pair. The petitioners, while presenting their case, tried to tell the court that earlier Banarasi sarees and cultural products known from other states of India had also been copied. The petitioners also demanded that Prada apologize and pay compensation for the copying. However, the petitioners are not the aggrieved persons or the registered owners of Kolhapuri Chappals. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne upheld the claim made by Prada that only registered owners can file a complaint in this matter.
Similarly, the petition was dismissed, questioning what public interest the petitioners had in filing the petition. At the same time, the courts also clarified that the registered owners of Kolhapuri chappals can come to the court and present their views and seek redress. While dismissing the petition, the court said that the detailed order for its dismissal will be issued later.
Kolhapuri Chappal is a cultural symbol of Maharashtra. Kolhapuri Chappal was duly granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration on May 4, 2009. This registration was renewed on May 4, 2019 and is valid till May 4, 2029. Despite the global popularity of this footwear, the company failed to give it due recognition or proper mention at the international level. Instead, it was marketed under a European fashion label and sold for over INR 1 lakh, which amounts to a violation of the economic and fundamental rights of Indian artisans, claimed Pune-based lawyer Ganesh Hingmire in his petition.
Therefore, the petition also demanded that Prada Group and Prada India Fashion Private Limited admit to the unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri Chappal GI product, issue a public apology, and assure that the GI will not be used in future. Their actions will cause huge financial losses to the artisans. Therefore, the petition also demands financial compensation for them.
Prada presented its 'Spring/Summer Men's Collection-2026' in Milan on June 22. At that time, Prada Group introduced the footwear in a commercial form, imitating Kolhapuri chappals under the name 'Toe Ring Sandals'. The famous group also admitted that they took inspiration from the craftsmanship of Indian artisans for the sandals.After the footage of the event was released, it went viral on social media that the sandals were a copy of Indian Kolhapuri chappals. The company then gave a public explanation. However, the company did not give any official explanation regarding the artisans who make Kolhapuri chappals, the Government of India, or the GI registration. Therefore, the petition stated that the social rights of artisans in India were violated by the companies.
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