The most sought out Tirumala Laddu was granted the Geographical indication certificate by the GI Registry in Chennai on Tuesday. Mr. G.L. Verma, the assistant registrar of trademarks, confirmed the grant of the certificate to Bar & Bench. He added that the move will ban the making and distribution of fake laddus.

Muthukumaar, Managing Associate and head of the Geographical Indication practice at Anand & Anand, filed the application on behalf of Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) Trust, which administers the world famous Venkateshwara temple. Muthukumaar, speaking to Bar & Bench, commented that there are a variety of spices, textile products that need to be protected and GI registration is a must for these products to ensure declaratory relief from any court. This is the first such instance where a religious offering has been accorded a GI certificate.

The Geographical Indication certificate enables the TTD to protect against spurious laddus that are being marketed in Tirupathi and elsewhere under their label. An estimate of Rs. 55 crores ($11.4 Million) is generated from the sale of laddus that are in high demand.