Patent for Thirupathi Laddu; Unbelievable!!

It was surprising and unbelievable for the IPR community members like me to hear the news that Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams, a trust that administers the Venkateswara Temple in the Tirumala hills has been awarded geographical copyright that bars others from naming or marketing the sweet preparation under the same name. All the products like Darjeeling tea, Nilgri tea, Champagne etc, has been protected by the GI simply because the special character the geography influences distinguishes the food products from others. The soil, the climate, the altitude, water etc, plays a vital role in deciding the GI.

All the ingredients which go into the Laddu are sourced from all parts of the country and are not just sourced from Thirupathi, the land of “Seven Hills”. No special geographic character of Thirupathi influences the Laddu. Even if Chappathi, Puliyotharai or Vadai is served as a prasadam in Thirupathi, sure they would have been as popular as “Laddu”

Today if millions love the "Thirupathi Laddu" it is not for the taste, sweetness or the aroma. Purely for the divinity it carries. It is sacred and invaluable for the believers. So what is the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams achieved by patenting is nothing but comercializing the laddu which othewise is holy for millions. Does the trust have the right to make the laddu a commodity. This patent says "Yes!"

Hence the GI is primarily because of the clout enjoyed by the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams rather than any special geographical influences. As a saying goes in Tamil "Saami Varam Koduthaalum Poosaari Vidamaataaru", the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams has grown over and above the Lord himself.