Mumbai, July 4 -- A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court demanding that the Italian fashion house Prada pay compensation to the Kolhapuri chappal artisans for allegedly copying their design in their latest unveiled summer collection.

Kolhapuri Chappal is already protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

As per the PIL, Italy-based fashion house Parda has recently released its Spring/Summer collection showcasing their 'Toe ring sandals' that are deceptively similar, stylistically and culturally derived from a GI-registered 'Kolhapuri Chappal' that are reportedly priced at over Rs 1 lakh per pair which is now rebrande...