2019 – Posted in: ART & CULTURE – Tags: Geographical indication, Maharashtra

Namma Kolhapuri chappal gets GI tag

The iconic footwear, Kolhapuri chappal, was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

The controller general of patents, designs and trademarks have granted the GI tag to Kolhapuri chappal from Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara and Solapur districts of Maharashtra and Dharwad, Belgam, Bagalkot and Bijapur of Karnataka.
With GI tag, these artisans get legal support. Anyone who is going to copy this can be punished.

These leather chappals are hand-crafted and tanned using vegetable dyes.
The traditional chappal making will get a modern touch.
The chappal makers here have developed different designs and colors as per the need of the market and the preferences of the customers. However, the basic process here has remained the same.
Kolhapuri Chappals are commonly referred to are a style of open-toed, T-strap sandals.
Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR) has in-house fashion designers who will design the footwear.

A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which correspond to a specific geographical location.
It acts as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods.
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003.
GIs have been defined under Article 22(1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

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