Geographical Copyright for Tirupati Laddoo

The famous Tirupati Laddoo has joined the ranks of famous products with a geographical origin in successfully obtaining a Geographical Indication registry. The copyright awarded ensures that only the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TDD), a trust that administers the Venkateswara Temple in the Tirumala hills can make and sell this product. The certification further protects this right by ensuring that others cannot name or market a similar sweetmeat product using the same name.

The Tirupati Laddoo is a popular name for Sri Vari Laddu that is offered as prasadam to devotees at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh after worship. The TDD application noted that:

The size and flavour are typical characteristics of Tirupati Laddoo. Tirupati Laddoos are not produced anywhere in the world and are very unique in terms of quality, reputation and other characteristics, which go into its making.

Under GI, the right to marketing a product is tied to a definite geographical territory. The product carrying the said name must be produced, processed, prepared in that territory alone. This prevents brand name exploitation of products that acquire fame over time. The GI status come with legal protection and permits the perusal of legal action in the event of copyright infringement. GIs come under Intellectual Property Rights.

Read: DNA News