Vandana Gombar & Ch Prashanth Reddy in New Delhi/Hyderabad

Early next month, the Madras high court will hear a unique case -- a petition challenging the geographical indications protection given to the famous Tirupati laddu, produced by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.

The GI recognition, given on September 15 this year, reached the court after a petitioner said that the laddu, which earns a substantial profit for the TTD, does nothing to protect the community rights of stakeholders -- a precondition for getting such protection.

The judgment in this case will have a significant impact on the livelihood of thousands of vendors who earlier used to sell a similar laddu just outside the temple precincts (the GI protection is only for those prepared in the temple kitchen). It will also decide whether the GI status can be granted to a single entity.

While the Tirupati laddu case is unique in terms of its impact and brings into question the entire registration process, India GI track record in other areas has been mixed.