<h1>Foreign Luxury Brand Faces Design Infringement Claims on GI-Protected Traditional Footwear Craft</h1> A traditional footwear craft protected by a Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been subject to alleged infringement by a foreign luxury brand accused of design appropriation. The relevant state governments secured the GI status under international trade agreements to reserve production rights for designated artisan districts, defining strict manufacturing criteria. To combat counterfeiting and reinforce authenticity, the state-run development corporation introduced QR-coded certification linking each product to its artisan and compliance details. The corporation also provides training, market access, and economic support to artisans, aiming to preserve cultural heritage and strengthen the craft's market position domestically and internationally. The foreign brand acknowledged inspiration from the traditional design but clarified their product remains in the design phase and is not yet commercialized. This initiative underscores efforts to protect indigenous intellectual property rights and support artisan communities through legal and technological measures.